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Lancaster House is a Mansion in the St. James's district in the West End of London . It is close to St. James's Palace and much of the site was once part of the palace complex. Lancaster House was commenced in the early nineteenth century for the Duke Of York And Albany , the second son of King George III , and was initially known as York House, but it was a shell at his death. It was rebuilt variously by Benjamin Wyatt, Charles Barry and Robert Smirke It was purchased by and completed for the 2nd Marquess Of Stafford (later 1st Duke Of Sutherland ) and was known as Stafford House for almost a century. It was assessed for rating purposes (i.e. for property taxes) as the most valuable private house in London. The Sutherlands’ liberal politics and love of the arts attracted many distinguished guests, including factory reformer the Earl of Shaftesbury, anti-slavery authoress Harriet Beecher Stowe and Italian revolutionary leader Giuseppe Garibaldi. Almost as influential as the visitors was the décor, which was to set the fashion for London reception rooms for nearly a century. The mainly Louis XIV interiors created a stunning backdrop for the Sutherlands’ impressive collection of paintings and objets d’art, many of which can still be seen in the house today. “I have come from my House to your Palace” Queen Victoria is said to remarked to the Duchess of Sutherland on arriving at Stafford House. With its ornate decoration and the dramatic sweep of the great staircase, the Grand Hall is a magnificent introduction to one of the finest town houses in London. More than a century later, its grandeur remains undimmed and the house is as popular as ever with those who visit it. In 1912 it was purchased by the Lancastrian soap-maker Sir William Lever, 1st Baronet (later 1st Viscount Leverhulme) who renamed it in honour of his native county of Lancashire and presented it to the nation in the following year. At one time Lancaster House was the home of the London Museum, but it is now used for government receptions and is closed to the public except on rare open days. The European Advisory Commission met at Lancaster House in 1944. In 1979 it was the scene of the Lancaster House Agreement , which was the agreement of independence from the United Kingdom of Rhodesia , now Zimbabwe . SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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