Maison Dieu House – Open this Saturday 9 September for Heritage Open Day

Maison Dieu House will be open this Saturday 10am – 4pm as part of the annual Heritage Open Day weekend. Maison Dieu House was built in 1665 as the official residence of the Agent Victualler, the local person responsible for organising the supply of food and drink to the ships of the Royal Navy. Next door the Maison Dieu itself (the Town Hall) was used for storage. The Agent Victualler remained until after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and then the building was used as the official residence of the Officer in charge of the Royal Engineers in Dover until 1834.

Maison Dieu House became connected to the Mayoralty when Mr RW Mummery who held the office of Mayor 3 times bought the property as his private residence. Dover Corporation bought Maison Dieu House in 1904 as a base for the Town’s public services including the Borough Engineer and the Medical Officer. In 1952 Dover Library opened and in 2004 the Town Council renovated and restored the building when it assumed ownership. It is now used by the Town Council and People of Dover for a wide range of civic occasions and meetings.

On Saturday the Council Chamber, the Mayor’s Parlour and the Charter Room will be open together with a fascinating display of historic items related to the Town and the Mayoralty.