Treasurers House

Story

The Treasurer's House in York, North Yorkshire, England is an historic house owned by the National Trust who also maintain its garden. It is located directly to the North of York Minster.The first Treasurer for York Minster was appointed in 1091, but all that remains of his original house is an external wall. The Treasurer was controller of the finances of the Minster but also entertained important guests, which is why he was provided with a grand residence.The residence served in this capacity until 1547, when the Reformation of the English Church brought the job of Treasurer to an end and the house passed into the hands of the Archbishops of York. Thomas Young, Archbishop between 1561 and 1568, and his descendants are responsible for the structure of house as it is today. In the early 17th century the Young family added the symmetrical front and almost entirely rebuilt the house. In 1617, the Treasurer’s House played host to royalty when Sir George Young entertained King James I. The house then passed through a number of private owners.The house was restored to its present state by Frank Green, a wealthy local industrialist, between 1897 and 1930. The house and its contents were given to the National Trust in 1930, when its owner retired and moved away from York.The house was built directly over one of the main Roman roads leading out of Roman York to the North. During major structural changes, carried out by Green, four Roman column bases were uncovered, one of which remains in-situ in the cellar and one of which was used as a base for a modern set of columns in the main hall.