THE descendants of families who lived in Coventry’s ‘the Weaver’s House’ met at the historic site for the first time to celebrate the release of new information about it’s history.
The special guests were invited to celebrate the release of the updated and expanded book The Families of Black Swan Terrace, which charts the history of the Weaver’s House and the surrounding buildings.
The families, whose ancestors previously lived in Black Swan Terrace, were invited to the iconic building to thank them for contributing memories and photographs to the book.
The day’s star guest was Betty Ecles, who will be turning 100 years old next month and was born in the house next door.
A nearly 100-year-old photo of Betty in her pram outside the house is featured in the new book.
Three generations of the same family also attended, all of whom were descendants of Eliza O’Neil who lived in the Weaver’s House.
Some of the O’Neil family had never met each other before.
The Weaver’s House on Upper Spon Street is part of Black Swan Terrace, six timber-framed cottages built in 1455 which have been modified and added to over the centuries.
The cottages were saved from demolition and restored by the Spon End Building Preservation Trust, a board of trustees formed in 2000 by a group of local residents interested in maintaining the local heritage.
They were opened to the public in 2007.
Approval has been granted for development which will reveal more of the history of the buildings in the terrace, creating a new display space in the visitor centre, adjacent to the Weaver’s House, to show more artefacts and information about the site.
The trust will also build up the remains of the former ‘Coventry Court’ building at the top of the garden which previously stood behind The Weaver’s House and was used for housing in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The book will be available to buy during open days at The Weavers House, with the next one taking place next Saturday, June 17.
Visit www.theweavershouse.org for more information.
