History of Sedbergh School in 50 Objects #13: Hart House

Hart House was the third of the specially planned and purpose-built boarding houses during the School’s 19th century renaissance. It was completed in 1890 at a cost of £7,193, built by John Laing and Son who were to become famous as Laing Construction. The architects were Paley and Austin who designed many of the School buildings between 1875 and the mid 1900s.

Hart is named after Henry George Hart, the inspirational Headmaster of Sedbergh between 1880 and 1900 who did much to make the School what it is today. Hart was the first lay Headmaster, every previous incumbent had been ordained. He was a committed Christian and published an extensive collection of his sermons. Hart moved the site of worship in School from the parish church to School Library where he undertook weekly preaching. As the School grew, he commissioned first a wooden Chapel and later a stone Chapel to provide a dedicated place for the School to come together for reflection and prayer.

The first Housemaster of Hart was Bernard Tower, whose portrait hangs in Powell Hall. He moved into Hart during the summer of 1890 bringing with him 30 boys from what is now Lupton where he had been Housemaster. One of the other former Housemasters was A.J. Fowler, brother of the famous Henry Watson Fowler, who helped the latter with his compilation of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.

Famous sons of Hart House include John Arden (1944 – 49), author and playwright, Max Nicholson (1919 – 22), life-long conservationist and co-founder of the World Wildlife Fund, and Lieutenant-General Sir Matthew Fell (1885 – 91) who was first head of Hart House, and went on to be the first Director of Medical Services R.A.F.

The house colour is green and the House magazine is now called the Jay but was previously The Bluebottle. The Jay is named for A.J. Fowler, former housemaster.