Located in the heart of Norwich, The Assembly House is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country.
A Grade I-listed building, the history of The Assembly House goes back to 1248 when John Le Brun founded a hospital on the site dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Chapel and Hospice of St Mary’s in the Field later became a secular college and church for priests who lived a communal life in the surrounding hall and cloisters. The cloisters (now partly covered by the courtyard) were built in 1278 and the crypt forms part of the present-day cellar.
The college was closed in 1544 with the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VII and in 1548 the buildings were surrendered to the crown and destroyed. The chapel, cloisters and choir were demolished, and it took 35 years to clear them; the remainder of the building was sold to the Dean as a private house.
In 1569 Sir Thomas Cornwallis bought the property and turned it into a townhouse. In 1609 it was sold to Sir Henry Hobart, whose family built Blickling Hall in North Norfolk (now a National Trust property) and the townhouse became known as “Chapel of the Field House”.
The building we see today was designed in 1754 by renowned architect Sir Thomas Ivory, and was used as a “House of Assemblies” for the gentry of Norwich, hosting a wealth of meetings, concerts, dances and other events, and welcoming all sorts of famous people.
From 1805 to 1876, the House played host to a variety of dignitaries and events.
In 1805 a Grand Ball was held to celebrate Nelson’s “Glorious Victory off Cape Trafalgar”. The house was decked out with flags and banners, and some of the original banner fixings can still be seen today on the restaurant’s balcony.
In 1926 Madame Tussaud returned to Norwich with her waxwork display of Sovereigns, Princes, Queens and Princesses, Heroes and Statesmen, Poets and Divines, and in 1840 Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt gave a concert in The Music Room – at 1am in the morning!
From 1876 to 1939 the building was used by the Girls Public Day School (Norwich High School for Girls).
The City Council wanted to demolish the building in 1933 but a campaign by the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society and the Norwich Society saved it.
During the Second World War (1939 to 1945), Oliver Messel, appointed by the War Office, used the building as a base for the Eastern Region Camouflage School. He was also responsible for furthering the refurbishment of the House, and he went on to become a famous costumer and theatrical set designer.
Many of the buildings surrounding The Assembly House were bombed and destroyed in the 1942 blitz but, although The Assembly House was hit by nine incendiary bombs, the building was only scarred.
After the war the House underwent a considerable restoration programme, encouraged by Oliver Messel and funded by leading Norwich shoe manufacturer,Mr H.J. Sexton.
In 1950 the building was restored at a cost of £70,000 and it re-opened once again in May 1950 as a centre for entertainment and the Arts (Mr H.J. Sexton also formed the H.J. Sexton Arts Trust).
However, in 1995 tragedy struck – fire swept through the building, and the roof and the ceilings of the entrance hall, restaurant and Music Room were destroyed. Fortunately, much of the wooden panelling and Georgian plasterwork remained intact and many of the paintings and pieces of furniture were salvaged.
It took 18 months to restore The Assembly House to the building that we know and love today and, thanks to the support of local businesses and friends, it re-opened once again in February 1997 as a meeting place and the home of numerous clubs and societies.
Besides the busy restaurant and cafe/bar, The Assembly House has a selection of superb function suites and hosts all sorts of meetings and events.
Thanks to its attractive Georgian architecture and wonderful facilities, it is also a popular place for weddings.
Today, The Assembly House is also a registered Arts charity that supports a varied programme of visual and performing arts including exhibitions, concerts, lectures and plays.