National Trust partnership reopens High Cross House to public

High Cross House is due to re-open to the public in March 2012 under a new partnership between the National Trust and The Dartington Hall Trust. The stunning modernist house was commissioned by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst as a ‘machine for living in’ for W.B. Curry, first headmaster of Dartington Hall School, and was designed by Swiss-American architect William Lescaze in 1932.

The National Trust will work with Dartington, owners of High Cross House, and others to build a community-led sustainable model of management and programming which will make High Cross House a local hub for contemporary arts and a new face for the National Trust.

Following an initial period of showing the house as a “blank canvas”, there will be a rotating programme of exhibitions and installations by nationally recognised ‘names’ and emerging local artists. There will be simple organic catering on-site and an Art, Craft and Design led retail offer.

Vaughan Lindsay, Dartington CEO, said: “We’re very excited by this new partnership with the National Trust. We hope the partnership will bring many new visitors to the estate to enjoy High Cross House, explore Dartington’s glorious grounds and gardens and find out more about our charitable programmes in the arts, social justice and sustainability”.

Robyn Brown, General Manager of the National Trust, English Riviera, added: “High Cross is among the top five Modernist houses in the country. We are really delighted to be working with Dartington to offer this special place for members, visitors and locals to come and enjoy again and again”.

High Cross House is due to re-open to the public on 7th March 2012.

For more information please call 01803 842382 or email highcrosshouse@nationaltrust.org.uk