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Local History > The HomesteadThe property remains in an excellent state of preservation and retains its original staircase, contemporary panelling and a central "Venetian" entrance. In the grounds are the former coach house to the Homestead and a pair of fine stone gate piers. One of the house's most notable residents was Derby surgeon Dr James Cade who lived there during the latter part of the 18th Century. In 1795, he married Anna Wright, daughter of celebrated Derby artist Joseph Wright, and Wright's paintings adorned the walls of the property for over 200 years. The couple's great grand-daughter, Rowena Cade - founder of the open-air, cliff-top Minack Theatre at Porthcurno, Cornwall - was born at the Homestead and lived there until her father, Charles C Cade, chose to sell the Homestead in 1911. They became the last in a long line of Cades to occupy the house. Sir Henry Fowler, Chief Engineer for the London Midland and Scottish Railway, was another former resident of the Homestead and famous potter Josiah Wedgewood is thought to have married there in the 1760s. In 1918, The Homestead took centre stage in a major scandal when two Swiss brothers, Henri and Camillie Dreyfus, who had come up with aircraft developments, were enticed to Spondon by the British government but then sold secrets to the Germans.  The main house has nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms. But there is also a four-bedroomed guest house, a Grade II-listed coach house and stable, and the original walled garden. The house also still includes much of the original furniture. A summary of the detailed description of the Homestead from when it was put on the market in 2003 can be read by clicking here.You can read more about the history of Spondon with our other features:And also at Ken Porter's excellent and highly recommended "A Village Remembered" website© Copyright 2000-2008 Spondon Online |