The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent
Feature from one of the Historic Buildings
yellow swish
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent

Mast House buildings at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham.

Where Legends were Created

Residential

Commissioners House, 1704

Commissioners House, 1704 Scheduled Ancient Monument & Grade I
The oldest naval building to survive intact it was built for the Resident Commissioner, his family and servants. The Resident Commissioner was a member of the Navy Board and was responsible for the running of the dockyard from the mid 17th Century until the Navy Board was abolished in 1832 and its duties transferred to the Admiralty Board.

From 1832 to 1983 the building housed the yard's senior naval officer, finally becoming the residence of the Port Admiral. Although the house is not generally open to visitors, its garden is. The general layout of the garden dates from the mid 17th century and the garden itself has important literary connections with both Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn. Oliver Cromwell is even reputed to have watched the sack of Rochester during the English Civil War from the garden.

Officers Terrace 1722-1733

Officers Terrace 1722-1733 Scheduled Ancient Monument & Grade I
A terrace of 12 fine houses erected for the senior officers of the Dockyard. Six were larger than the others and were the residences of the principal officers - the Master Shipwright, Clerk of the Cheque, Storekeeper, Clerk of the Survey and the two Master Attendants.

Each house has its own walled garden, these are now some of Britain's few remaining  unaltered 18th century town gardens.

Captain of the Dockyard's House c 1895

Scheduled Ancient Monument & Grade II
Built as the residence of the Admiral Superintendent's staff captain. In 1905 the post was renamed Captain of the Dockyard and assumed the additional responsibility of Deputy Superintendent of the yard.

The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TZ, England
Info Line: +44 (0)1634 823807   Trust Office: +44 (0)1634 823800   Fax: +44 (0)1634 823801

Fully Accredited Museum - Registered as a Charity No. 292101
Web content Management systems by Netsite Ltd|
Text Only | Print Page | Email Page | |

 
dots
RESIDENTIAL AND ADMINISTRATION - more info

HISTORIC BUILDINGS - More info