History

In 1915 the inaugural meeting of the first Women's Institute in the United Kingdom was held in this building, an event recorded on photograph. Six years later a new building was made available and the summerhouse was no longer used for meetings. The Women's Institute itself began in 1897 in Ontario and the movement was adopted in Britain because of the need for greater food production during the 1st World War.

Exterior

Single-storey garden building which is slate-hung on a timber-frame; grouted slate roof with projecting verges, 2 red clay vents in the ridge and a red brick chimney stack to W gable end. The front has 3-light transomed window to left and 3-bay tiled verandah to right, under which are the central half-glazed doors; renewed timber piers to front. Offset to rear and on the right gable end are similar-style cross-frame windows.

Interior

Tall, full-length room with coved raftered ceiling and timber chimney piece to left end with keystone to arched fireplace; timber floor.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for its special historic interest as the building where, in 1915, the first Women's Institute in the United Kingdom was formed.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29493643

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

• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey