Treasure Discovered! | Hopwood DePree
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WELCOME to Hopwood Hall Estate (AKA "Downton Shabby") in Middleton, England.
This channel follows the unexpected adventures of American Hopwood DePree who, whilst living in Los Angeles, traced his family tree online, and discovered his abandoned 60-room ancestral home "Hopwood Hall Estate" that dates back to 1426! Hopwood was informed that if he didn't do something very soon to save the Hall, it would be lost forever. So he packed his bags and left LA to take on the madcap challenge of his life with a passionate team of supporters and community volunteers, in England.
We share the ups & downs, failures & triumphs of this group effort DIY rescue emergency: learning new skills, discovering house & garden secrets and seeking the inspirations that will be needed to get this Estate back onto her feet once again!
Thank you to all our Patreons, Friends and Supporters who have decided to come along on the ride with us as we transform this irreplaceable British treasure back to her original grandeur! It may take us some time, but we embrace it, as the fun is in the process!! We hope you agree and that you will gain as much from watching the journey as we are experiencing it - and do feel free to contact us via the comments section below.
If you would like to become a Patreon of this channel and receive exclusive perks and content, we'll be delighted - please click here: / hopwoodxiv
Chapter Times:
00:00 - The Upstairs Downstairs Life
00:42 - What's in the box?
01:33 - Coachman's Descendant - Family History
02:23 - A Late 1800's Waistcoat
03:56 - Walking in their footsteps
04:28 - The Laundry Cottage - Archaeology
05:25 - A Faded Portrait
05:51 - Letters: An Invitation to High Tea
06:13 - The Hopwood Community
07:06 - Antique Furniture Catalogue
08:50 - Early 1900s Cricket Fixtures
09:28 - Susan Hopwood
10:13 - A Letter from the Prime Minister - The Cost of War
11:49 - The Passing of Colonel Hopwood
12:57 - Artefacts Discoveries and Stories
14:29 - From One Family to Another
15:52 - Artefact Gallery
16:37 - Memories Rediscovered - Thank you!
That was so incredibly kind of Derek Radcliffe and his family to donate those historic items to you! It is great to see so many people near and far contributing in different ways to this project.
Thanks Jeff! yes Derek and his family are amazing to entrust us with such incredible materials and we are so very thankful!
This was probably that families most prized possessions. It couldn't have been easy to let them go. Thank you.
@@HopwoodXIV You look a bit like my nephew. That's him on my profile image. Blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'5". That's a pic of him from the 70's.
Oh, this is so touching! ❤ How generous of Derek to gift all these items to you and the Hall. I love that this community of Brits have embraced the American heir.
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After untold years of backbreaking work in the laundry, some of the best treasures that the hall has came from Ms. Amy's gentle heart. Through time to it's rightful place. I hope that her foresight is celebrated in the description cards next to these items in a glass case. Such a beautiful story. Her labor has been lost to time but her love for this place lives on.
There isn't much on the tube or cable worth watching. The news is a disaster. It is always a pleasure for a new episode. Keep up the good work old chap.
Thank you so much. We really appreciate the support & encouragement!
This is amazing. What a kind generous man Derek is. He returned them home.
cheers Scot. Thank you
@@HopwoodXIV I am going to start at the beginning and watch all of them. It will be good viewing
The best video so far. What a lovely man to share those precious artefacts with you. You have definitely inherited the kind and generous nature of your family ❤
Thank you so much 😀❤
Holy Toledo!!! I can’t believe that all of this exist!!! My gosh it must feel like finding a buried treasure. What an amazing gift of history to come back home.
Thanks Chelsea! Yes we couldn't believe it!
Tears to my eyes. My favorite video to date. What an amazing generous gift to the hall by one so connected to it.
That's amazing to hear. Thank you. Yes an incredible gift from Derek and family that will be cherished by the community for many generations to come
What an amazing video, I’m watching this literally trying to catch my breath at these incredible items being brought home to you, it must be incredible to have these items back in their home. Aunty Amy was an amazing lady, who obviously knew you would need these one day. I can’t believe the condition of the items and the waistcoat is breathtaking, what an incredibly generous and lovely family to have not only kept these treasures safe all this time but to give them back to you and the hall. This has to be one of my most favourite videos ever. ❤🇩🇰
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I was so touched by the kind generosity of Mr Shepherd to you Hopwood, it seems the good relationship between the Hopwood family and the Shepherds has lasted through time I'm so glad you have a little more history of Hopwood Hall put right into your hands 😊
Thank you so much
Gosh, wow, what a fabulous soul Derek is, & thank goodness for folks who can realise the value of local ephemera like this. A true gent. You will find as word gets out that more people have stuff like this squirrelled away & will want to share it - you’ll need a extremely large display case to show it all off! 👏🏻❤️
haha yes indeed!
What a generous man to offer his items to the Hall. Another piece of the puzzle. Fascinating. Nice to see your smile Hopwood. Thank you.
Thanks so much Sidney!
This episode just made me cry. It’s so important to recognize the lives that came before us. It’s very precious to see pictures and letters and artifacts of the family in times past. Thank you for restoring their legacy
Hi Sarah - thank you so much for you comment. We too were incredible moved by Derek's gift. It's really nice to know you felt the same
What a fabulous vlog, Hopwood. The story of Hopwood Hall is becoming more interesting with each chapter. What a champion fellow is Mr Derek. I love his waistcoat..... and such deeply sad stories of WW1, which I don`t mind admitting made me feel a bit weepy. Thank you and your wonderful team of friends and supporters for sharing this with us all.☺
Hi Damelza - your kind words are so lovely. Thank you so much for watching and for your encouragement :)
This adventure just continues to get better.
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So emotional. Thank you Shepherd family for sharing this with all of us.
Shesh I felt a bit teary at the end seeing it all coming home and being brought together again for future generations to see!
:) :)
Wow! Things got really real real fast this time! I just can’t imagine the feeling of a treasure trove of artifacts landing on a table top right in front of me right where it originated, for the most part, and now it can all be part of a permanent archive to share with the world. Especially the catalog of the furnishings and photographs. I’m dumbstruck and it’s fascinating.
Thank you so much- we're so incredibly thrilled all these artifacts have made it back to the Hall!!
What an awesome episode, the generosity and kindness of Derek and his family is so special and thoughtful. In todays world of everything being digital these documents are even more precious, to have something tangible from so far back is truly incredible. I hope you will share more of them.
I love how it seems the owners treated everyone with respect.
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What a treasure trove of letters and invitations.
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These letters, photographs, sketches, programs and assorted documents can truly round out the story of life at Hopwood Hall. How fortunate and considerate that they were brought back “into the fold”. The auction listing with photographs is an enormous boost to the possibility of locating some of the objects. What a great gesture of faith in the project!
Interesting video, thanks. A thought: make a video to put online those photos from that old furniture sale? Your eager audience could keep an eye out for missing pieces -- and it is a pleasant fantasy to imagine that some of us might actually own something that now could go back there!
Thank you- Great suggestion!
That's a really good idea: some of them must be around somewhere!
How kind of Derek and how fortuitous for Hopwood Hall. So many wonderful things happening because you went home to England! This must have been very moving for you. The auction catalogue is awesome to have, you never know what you will find because of that and will maybe help validate any future furniture. Lady Susan Hopwood was a woman who was ahead of her time in realizing the environmental damage caused by the Industrial Revolution. I had a friend who grew up in Liverpool in the 1940's and he still suffers the effect of coal smog from his youth. He said he could not walk the length of block as a child without stopping and leaning on a lamp post to catch his breath. It has had impact on his life for sure. This wonderful and shows the generosity of spirit of the community in which you come from and now live.
Very interesting. Thank you so much
What a treasure Derek Radcliffe and his family have given Hopwood Hall. A discussion you and your board should have is how to involve children in the Hall. The children of today will be the community leaders of tomorrow.
Thank you! Yes we would love to have more school visits in the future!
@@HopwoodXIV Won’t it be fun to have actors or volunteers dressed up as real people who worked on the estate and tell their tale to school children. I truly believe that more items will find their way back to the Hall.
what a wonderful collection to return to the hall ,i do hope more will return home
Thanks Kath!
It’s so wonderful that these treasures of the past were saved, and it is such a meaningful gesture that he returned them to their rightful place!! Your work and dedication to restore this amazing place will certainly inspire generations to come! ❤ Cheers
Fantastic and fascinating! Generous gift from the Radcliffe-Shepherd family to remain at Hopwood Hall for generations to come! Bravo!
What an amazing gift back to the Hall
We are absolutely thrilled about it
That Amazon box really did turn out to be a treasure chest. So nice of Derek to donate those items to the hall. It's amazing that his Great Aunt thought to preserve all of that documentation. It was also nice to see that your ancestors formally invited the staff to functions at the hall. The pictures of the former furnishings are invaluable to the renovation as well. I know you had to be emotional seeing all this, it almost brought a tear to my eye and it's not even my family.
Thank you so much. Yes we feel incredibly lucky for Auntie Amy foresight and Derek & his family's amazing generosity. It still chokes me up!
Lovely to hear about the people of the Hall and lovely of Derek to give the items to Hopwood Hall. It would be nice to have a display of the history and people of the Hall. Sad that the Sons were killed along with so many of the staff. Glad the Hopwood's sounded like good employers and treated their employees well.
Lovely how the threads of history are woven together, thru the fabric of time. Thank you for a wonderful share!
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That is beautiful and wonderful to see! Some great bits of history there.
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It was so moving Watching this video and Having the young man share about his aunt Amy ! And very generous of him to pass the information on to you I'm very moved also ! God bless🤗 Until next time Toodaloo🙂
Thank you Cheryl ! 😀
@@HopwoodXIV Your welcome 🤗
im so glad you are discovering more about your heritage. as families move away from home to start their own far too often the histories are broken. our histories, as fascinating as they may be, are endearing to each and every one that ever left a print in life. happy hunting with your heritage hopwood. im certain you them proud.
Thank you! 😀
You should publish the catalogue of the auction items in the hope that anyone who may possess some of these items may wish to loan or donate them back to Hopewood Hall.
Great suggestion! Thank you
It would be incredible to see if any of the pieces from the hall ended up in other great houses locally, I’d definitely be contacting other local great houses to see as well.
@@nelltaylor8171 yes completely agree!!
What a wonderful treasure to have! So kind of Derek Radcliffe to donate this treasure!
I got teary eyed watching that sweet Man come over to show and give you a piece of your history he didn't even know you. It just touched my heart.
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I could feel how much the return of these artifacts meant to you, Hopwood. Hope you receive much more. Bless you for trying to restore this piece of history
Thank you!
That really was a treasture trove. Derek is a gem.
Thanks for cataloging your journey for us restoring your ancestral hall, I look forward to seeing every bit of news. I also am enjoying listening to your Downton Shabby book via audiobook on my commute to work, very well written and awesome narration.
Thank you so much!
This is so wonderful and very exciting! The box is truly a treasure chest! I loved seeing the photographs and letters. Thank you Hopwood!
Thank you so much!
What an incredible gesture to give back those important documents. Was very moving x
Having watched some of the uptight current gentry and hearing how kind your family was to the village and staff, you Hopwood are a real tribute to the legacy.
Thank you Naomi- what a nice note
I was thinking you could go onto the repair shop and have the portraits renewed and repaired by Lucia and All the letters put in a specially made book by the shows incredible bookbinder .. so very very kind of Derek . I have loved this episode .. Dad took us most Sundays for a walk around hopwood and he taught me all about nature which I still love x Good Luck with your continued Restorations .. soo exciting x
How kind and generous of Derek Radcliffee to donate these amazing pieces of history!
Such a fantastic video. Hopwood, I wonder if the plans show a muniment room. That would be THE place to bring all the papers / letters / old documents etc back into the hall when the time comes. An incredible gift from Mr Radcliffe. It seems to breathe life into the hall.
Thank you- yes we would love to have a room to showcase the artifacts, most likely the Library at some point in the future!
I cannot express the emotions this video brought to me. Just sadness over the the two lost sons, joy that that sweet man returned things to the hall. I have tears in my eyes truly. ❤
What a gift for the hall❤
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How wonderful that these artifacts are back at the Hall! I have a wee FYI. Look into the safe methods to store antique fabric and clothing for preservation. Acid free tissue paper, laying flat in an appropriate box for example. I'm sure there are safe ways display that handsome waistcoat too. I really enjoy watching, from Canada 🇨🇦
I had full body chills when you pulled out that waistcoat! Fashion history is my jam and to be able to even feel a piece of clothing from the 1800's would be incredible! What a gift he gave you and the hall! Such a sweet man.
What an incredible archives to be gifted to the Hall. It's wonderful to see that it's going to the place it truly belongs. Another wonderful program.
Thank you Kevin!
To the most recent episode, Treasure Discovered, I can only repeat the words of many others---all of the mementos you’ve been gifted, letters, invitations to high tea, photos and much more are a treasure of personal and historical value beyond measure. It’s exciting to think what more will be revealed in the weeks and months ahead.
Thanks Michael!
WOW! What a great find. Wonderful to have it back at the hall. Now looking forward to the restoration going ahead.
Incredible treasure to be offered. 👏🏼
I cannot tell you how overwhelmed I was watching this episode. How proud you must be to receive tangible proof of the generosity and genuine kindness of your ancestors. That they treated all people with dignity and respect. To me, this episode touched me equal to the unveiling of the repaired model of the house - by the original builder. I need a tissue....
Thank you so much - we really appreciate your thoughts
I love it. It's so important to recover and record what you can of the history. It's wonderful that he donated these precious artifacts.
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Extremely touching! Thank you for what you are doing, Hopwood. From Vancouver Canada
Wow, thank you! Hello to Vancouver!!
How magnificent and kind of this man to pass it on. God bless Him and his aunt!
History is so cool.. I've started putting dates on almost everything.. Thx for bringing us along on another very exciting adventure.. Take care my friend and be safe...
cheers Gary!
What a kind gentleman. I'm sure you are surrounded by lovely people. This is a great journey!
Thank you!!
@@HopwoodXIV You are welcome!
Very interesting good job, on keeping the history alive.
Many thanks!
I truly enjoyed this. Wish you were on every day. Looking forward to your next. Ken from Indiana 🇺🇸
Aw thank you so much Ken! We are trying to get on more often and hopefully will be able to soon. Hello to Indiana!!
A fabulous vlog. I am jealous you got all those photographs and other items of your family tree handed to you. But happy for you too, it all was such an incredible heartfelt gift. And that waistcoat!!😍😍
Thank you so much!
I live on Maui and it is bringing me a great deal of enjoyment and peace to watch your videos about the renovation.
history been saved.
People look at the building and think, "Cool Castle", but when you show them the people that lived there, the lives that they had, the effort they put into every aspect of those lives, and even the tragedies that they experienced. Then they can finally see how a building is not just a building, but the holder of past and future lives and stories..... And I am so glad the story continues!!!
Thank you Dana, Lovely thoughts!
Wow, what an incredible gift. The archivist club volunteers must feel like this is Christmas in July. I am sure this will keep them busy for a long time to come as they continue to put puzzle pieces together. - Bryan/West Michigan
That was so moving & that the family passed on these heirlooms! I can imagine you displaying these for future generations, to see the good relationships that the Hopwoods had with their staff. It give us as well as you, a glimpse of their personalities and way of life.
Thank you Kathy!
How absolutely lovely to receive such a gift of kindness! I'm sure this is just the first.
cheers Chris!
Please, please keep all this fantastic recently acquired artifacts in a fireproof format; including, in the Cloud!
Thats a priceless gift - I seem to be learning more now about Hopwood Hall and I live on campus there for 3 years in the late 70's
Thanks Trevor- yes so many centuries of history and you living there was also a part of it! 😀
@@HopwoodXIV Maybe I should do a collab effort with some old student buddies and document some of the many outrageous goings on at the Hall in the late seventies when the room you had your Chrismas Party in was a thriving student bar - before they are all lost to time?
Adding another layer of depth to an already intriguing saga via restoration of the hall, thanks be to Derek Radcliffe for the personal history additions. Praising you, too, Hopwood for your obvious joy in meeting him as he surrenders these historic items to a place they may be enjoyed by many.
Thank you!
I'm sure Manchester Museum would love to see these things. They may also be able to give advice on cleaning/displaying them in the future.
Great suggestion! Thank you!
Derek Radcliffe's gift was so touching.
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People are kind , caring, and generational connected
I really got goose bumps when you said that he probably wore that what's and walked through that very room...how special to have a direct link between two moments in time. ❤
Thank you Kristin!
Your ancestors, I’m certain, are very proud of the care and efforts you are putting into your family home. The additional information I would love to hear about is how each Hopwood in the photos is related to you. For example, how are you related to the two brothers who died in the war and have you considered having a family tree done by a professional genealogist?
Hi- yes there is a family tree published and we are also hoping to do a video focused on it too!
wow! Moving, emotional, powerful!!!
Thank you Corri! great to hear
I’ve only come across the Hopwood XIV story through KZhead very recently…a day ago as a matter of fact. True to my tenacious curiosity, in that one day I watched episode numbers 1 through 63 until 4:30am then later that morning, after a bit of sleep, continued through episodes 64 to 69. Every episode was a great adventure of discovery following the many twists and turns with the massive scope of restorations undertaken. Your courage, Hopwood, in assuming such a monumental responsibility is well beyond extraordinary. Not only are you restoring and preserving one of Britain’s national treasures but also returning the rightful family heritage to Hopwood Hall. As a romantic, I feel that every historical dwelling, from cottage to castle, comes alive with a palpable sense of warmth and welcome when a devoted caretaker is in residence. (As my first comment I had much to say but future comments will be kept shorter!)
Wow thank you so much Michael! Great to know you are along with us on the journey!!
I would be crying looking at those family things , love seeing this
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Hello from California, this is so awesome the history and photos of everything what a time capsule of history.
Thanks Terri! Great to hear from you. Hello to California!
What a beautiful gift. Won’t it be great to have them in your archives!
That "waist coat" is fantastic.
Wow....just wow.How wonderful that someone,Aunt Amy,had the foresight to hold on to these items, obviously meant a lot to her and they would have been very proud to have worked at the Hall.I would consider it a great privilege to archive these items..
Thanks Ros- yes we are so lucky they have been preserved!
@@HopwoodXIV Very lucky indeed.... wouldn't it be great if there were more items turned up? Like Lord Byron's bed,for instance...We can but dream...
Aw, this was a wonderful video. It brought tears to my eyes.
🙂 Thanks so much Helen. We really appreciate you letting us know your thoughts ❤😊
What a blessing! This video really touched my heart, to the point of tears in my eyes. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful videos.❤🙏🇺🇸
What a lovely video!!!! ❤
Thank you!! 😊
Would be fun to see the family genealogy and how you are related too. Really nice to see the old letters come back.
Thanks Michelle! Yes we are working in another vid about that too! 😀
Be sure to give honor to that sweet lady for saving all that so they could find it and share it back to where it belongs!
Yes absolutely!
Hi Hopwood (Ted) I just became acquainted today with your beautiful ancestral home, I live in your birth home Michigan, if I lived in the UK I would to help you do anything to help restore your beautiful home! Bless you for your passion & commitment in restoring your family home, I am sure they are smiling from Heaven! I can’t wait to watch the progress! ❤
Thank you so much Connie! ❤️ Great to have you along with us on the adventure. Hello to Michigan!
What an incredible gift…such precious memories to cherish and share. I’m so pleased for you❤
Thank you so much!
Extraordinarily moving. What a gift to be able to exude your love for your mission and attract people and objects back into the Hopwood world. Both sons and 24 servants dead during WWI. Such a calamity. Your journey back is admirable, often tearful through joy and pain. Bravo!!!
Thank you!!
Amazing to see more of the Halls history and of those that worked and lived there return to Hopwood Hall.
Thank you so much for sharing this touching story! - From Texas
cheers Steve! Hello to Texas!!
Fantastic addition to the archive. Time to make you a replica of the waistcoat
Awesome that an archive of historic Hopwood Hall is being recreated day by day through donations and acquisitions. Tracing some of those furniture pieces to present day owners might prove fruitful in gaining their return to the Hall. Hopwood, I have a vision in my head of you napping on the Lord Byron Bed! 🙂 Richard
Just wonderful, speechless
Wow, thank you!
What a treasure! The yellow and black stripes on the vest make me think Hopwood hall could be Hufflepuff Hall LOL (Harry Potter reference). Hopwood, You look soooo much like Lady Susan!
Hahaha
@@HopwoodXIV You really do favor her. That's not meant as an insult at all. You carry a lot of her features in a masculine way.
@@HopwoodXIV Also, you carry the traits of Hufflepuff House. Friendly, loyal, and hard working. That is you all over!
That is so cool, fingers crossed more people will remember some older aunt or grandparent that kept everything and maybe find more goodies for you and the hall!