1879 – Plaw Hatch, Hertfordshire

Architect: Joseph Fogerty

South east view of the residence of F.W. Blunt esq. including ground plan published in The Building News, December 26th 1879. Now known as Pearse House, it hasn’t been used as a residence for many years – being used as a hospital annex in the Second World War, an officers’ mess by USAF 344th Bombardment Group stationed at Stansted, and in 1946 was acquired by Herts and Essex High School for use as a boarding house. The school ceased to take in boarders from July 1966, at which time Pearse House was taken over by the Education Committee of Hertfordshire and run as a residential centre for county, junior and middle schools. Since 1977 Pearse House has become a successful management training and conference centre, as well as a reception centre for private functions and special occasions.