Description

YORK

SE5952SE MUSEUM GARDENS
1112-1/12/776 Observatory
02/11/72

GV II

Observatory. 1832-33, restored 1981. Telescope designed and
built by Thomas Cooke of York, rotating conical roof designed
by John Smeaton, for the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.
Magnesian limestone ashlar with lead roof.
PLAN: octagonal on shallow plinth.
EXTERIOR: basement and 2 storeys, lower storey with moulded
cornice, upper storey set back. Door is of 4 flush panels.
Each alternate face on ground floor has 12-pane sash window
with slender glazing bars. Upper storey has 2-light casement
windows. Openings are chamfered.
INTERIOR: not inspected.
HISTORICAL NOTE: the observatory was built following the
inaugural meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science in 1831, restored and refitted in 1981
to mark the Association's 150th anniversary. For many years,
the telescope it housed was the largest refracting telescope
in the world.
(An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the City of York:
RCHME: Outside the City Walls East of the Ouse: HMSO London:
1975-: 45).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26548529

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover