Government Funding Preserves the Birthplace of Bronte Sisters for Future Generations

Campaigners have announced the successful preservation of the birthplace of the renowned Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, following government funding. The terraced house in Thornton, West Yorkshire, where the literary siblings were born between 1816 and 1820, will receive a £240,000 grant from the £25 million “levelling up” fund. This financial support ensures the refurbishment of the historic building, transforming it into a “community events space” with the aim of enhancing social cohesion and boosting local tourism.

Previously in private ownership, the house is now set to become a public asset, serving as a community benefit, with plans to open in time for Bradford’s tenure as the UK City of Culture in 2025. Bronte Birthplace Limited, a not-for-profit community benefit society, had already secured £367,000 through fundraising efforts, including a grant from the City of Culture, for the purchase and initial work on the property.

Steven Stanworth, vice chair of Bronte Birthplace Limited, expressed his excitement about the funding, describing it as “fantastic news” and emphasising the significance of the birthplace in completing the Bronte sisters’ story. Transforming into an educational gem, the property aims to inspire future generations, welcoming children from all district schools.

In 1820, the Brontës settled in Howarth’s parsonage, crafting literary gems like Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre.” This former family home has been functioning as a museum for nearly a century.

The “Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC)” has allocated funds from the Community Ownership Fund to over 70 buildings, facilitating various community-driven projects across the UK. Notable recipients include the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre, Old Clyne School in Brora, Jacobs Wells Baths in Bristol, and The Generator Hall in Loughborough, among others. Each project contributes to the preservation and revitalization of historic and community assets.