House Historian
@househistorian.bsky.social
Historian • author • speaker • TV consultant • presenter. Specialist in researching the history of houses. Otherwise known as Mel Backe-Hansen. Books incl. #AHouseThroughTime and #HouseHistories Rep #PastPreservers http://www.house-historian.co.uk/
Pinned
I research the social histories of houses across the UK! Most of my time is spent completing private commissions for homeowners but I also write books, give talks, write articles & do a little TV consulting. I also like to spread uplifting, encouraging & happy vibes out into the world [2/2] ☺️👋
My #househistory feature from yesterday 😀
Today’s #househistory feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times is a fantastic Georgian house in Spitalfields, London! Home to silk weavers and also a former ‘Home for Working Boys’! #househistories #London
November 29, 2025 at 10:21 AM
My #househistory feature from yesterday 😀
Reposted by House Historian
Moulton Hall near Richmond was rebuilt on the site of a previous building in the mid 17th century for the Smithson family. Perhaps it's most interesting owner though was Sir Ralph Millbanke who sold it when his daughter made a disastrous marriage to Lord Byron.
November 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Moulton Hall near Richmond was rebuilt on the site of a previous building in the mid 17th century for the Smithson family. Perhaps it's most interesting owner though was Sir Ralph Millbanke who sold it when his daughter made a disastrous marriage to Lord Byron.
Reposted by House Historian
'The Market Porter pub in Borough Market' (2019) by Liam O'Farrell
liamofarrell.com
liamofarrell.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:59 AM
'The Market Porter pub in Borough Market' (2019) by Liam O'Farrell
liamofarrell.com
liamofarrell.com
Reposted by House Historian
'Penge' by Paul Bartlett
macbirmingham.co.uk/courses/tuto...
macbirmingham.co.uk/courses/tuto...
November 28, 2025 at 11:43 AM
'Penge' by Paul Bartlett
macbirmingham.co.uk/courses/tuto...
macbirmingham.co.uk/courses/tuto...
Today’s #househistory feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times is a fantastic Georgian house in Spitalfields, London! Home to silk weavers and also a former ‘Home for Working Boys’! #househistories #London
November 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Today’s #househistory feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times is a fantastic Georgian house in Spitalfields, London! Home to silk weavers and also a former ‘Home for Working Boys’! #househistories #London
For Dad’s Army fans - and #househistory fans 😉 Today’s house history feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times was the childhood home of John Le Mesurier - aka Sergeant Wilson! 😀 #househistories #dadsarmy
November 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
For Dad’s Army fans - and #househistory fans 😉 Today’s house history feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times was the childhood home of John Le Mesurier - aka Sergeant Wilson! 😀 #househistories #dadsarmy
Have been rather quiet as I've been busy juggling multiple projects including the history of a house in Essex! This shows the house as looked in 1833...but was completely altered and renovated in the 1860s so looks nothing like this anymore 😊 #househistory #househistories #history
November 21, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Have been rather quiet as I've been busy juggling multiple projects including the history of a house in Essex! This shows the house as looked in 1833...but was completely altered and renovated in the 1860s so looks nothing like this anymore 😊 #househistory #househistories #history
Reposted by House Historian
#AdoorableThursday Foredale Farm, Helwith Bridge, North Yorkshire.
November 6, 2025 at 8:52 AM
#AdoorableThursday Foredale Farm, Helwith Bridge, North Yorkshire.
Reposted by House Historian
The Dome, Brompton Oratory' (1936) by Charles Ginner
(Private collection)
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🎵 'Brompton Oratory' by Nick Cave
youtu.be/oovJ0EK_LNk?...
(Private collection)
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🎵 'Brompton Oratory' by Nick Cave
youtu.be/oovJ0EK_LNk?...
November 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The Dome, Brompton Oratory' (1936) by Charles Ginner
(Private collection)
------
🎵 'Brompton Oratory' by Nick Cave
youtu.be/oovJ0EK_LNk?...
(Private collection)
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🎵 'Brompton Oratory' by Nick Cave
youtu.be/oovJ0EK_LNk?...
Today’s #househistory feature in The Times is a lovely late-Georgian house between Brixton and Clapham in London! 😀 #househistories #history
November 14, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Today’s #househistory feature in The Times is a lovely late-Georgian house between Brixton and Clapham in London! 😀 #househistories #history
Reposted by House Historian
The house in question - in #MaidenBradley - will be included in our forthcoming @wiltshistory.bsky.social volume XIX.
You can read draft material here:
You can read draft material here:
November 7, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The house in question - in #MaidenBradley - will be included in our forthcoming @wiltshistory.bsky.social volume XIX.
You can read draft material here:
You can read draft material here:
Today’s #househistory feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times is a fantastic historic home in Wiltshire! 😀 #househistories #history #Wiltshire
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Today’s #househistory feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times is a fantastic historic home in Wiltshire! 😀 #househistories #history #Wiltshire
Reposted by House Historian
Stopped off at @waterstones.bsky.social Piccadilly yesterday and chuffed to see two of my books on display! 😄😁 #AHouseThroughTime #DoorsofLondon @davidolusoga.bsky.social @cathlondon.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @sheldrakepress.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Stopped off at @waterstones.bsky.social Piccadilly yesterday and chuffed to see two of my books on display! 😄😁 #AHouseThroughTime #DoorsofLondon @davidolusoga.bsky.social @cathlondon.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @sheldrakepress.bsky.social
A fantastic story in today’s #househistory feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times! A house often visited by former PM Herbert Asquith and where his infatuation with Venetia Stanley began! #househistories
October 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
A fantastic story in today’s #househistory feature in Bricks & Mortar in The Times! A house often visited by former PM Herbert Asquith and where his infatuation with Venetia Stanley began! #househistories
Reposted by House Historian
Fleet Street seen from the top of a bus at Ludgate Circus, in today's new post "London Rebuilt - 1897 to 1926" at alondoninheritance.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Fleet Street seen from the top of a bus at Ludgate Circus, in today's new post "London Rebuilt - 1897 to 1926" at alondoninheritance.com
Reposted by House Historian
The Society are deeply saddened that despite our objections and concerns from HB&P, the Church Buildings Council and the local Council, the Diocese of Chichester Consistory Court have given permission to remove most of the choir stalls from Holy Trinity Church in Hastings. 🧵 📷 Connor McNeill
October 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The Society are deeply saddened that despite our objections and concerns from HB&P, the Church Buildings Council and the local Council, the Diocese of Chichester Consistory Court have given permission to remove most of the choir stalls from Holy Trinity Church in Hastings. 🧵 📷 Connor McNeill
Reposted by House Historian
'The Visit', St John's Wood (c.1909) by Sir George Clausen
(Private collection)
(Private collection)
October 18, 2025 at 7:43 AM
'The Visit', St John's Wood (c.1909) by Sir George Clausen
(Private collection)
(Private collection)
Reposted by House Historian
'Evening Magnolia, St James's Church' (2024) by Melissa Scott-Miller
chrisbeetles.com/artist/816/melissa-scott-miller-rba-rp-neac
chrisbeetles.com/artist/816/melissa-scott-miller-rba-rp-neac
October 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
'Evening Magnolia, St James's Church' (2024) by Melissa Scott-Miller
chrisbeetles.com/artist/816/melissa-scott-miller-rba-rp-neac
chrisbeetles.com/artist/816/melissa-scott-miller-rba-rp-neac
Reposted by House Historian
Seeking Situations, painting by Ralph Hedley, 1848-1913 (Shipley Art Gallery). Best known for portraying scenes of everyday life in north-east England. #NorthernArt
October 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Seeking Situations, painting by Ralph Hedley, 1848-1913 (Shipley Art Gallery). Best known for portraying scenes of everyday life in north-east England. #NorthernArt
Chuffed 😊 #AHouseThroughTime #DoorsofLondon
Stopped off at @waterstones.bsky.social Piccadilly yesterday and chuffed to see two of my books on display! 😄😁 #AHouseThroughTime #DoorsofLondon @davidolusoga.bsky.social @cathlondon.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @sheldrakepress.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Chuffed 😊 #AHouseThroughTime #DoorsofLondon
Stopped off at @waterstones.bsky.social Piccadilly yesterday and chuffed to see two of my books on display! 😄😁 #AHouseThroughTime #DoorsofLondon @davidolusoga.bsky.social @cathlondon.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @sheldrakepress.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Stopped off at @waterstones.bsky.social Piccadilly yesterday and chuffed to see two of my books on display! 😄😁 #AHouseThroughTime #DoorsofLondon @davidolusoga.bsky.social @cathlondon.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @sheldrakepress.bsky.social
Reposted by House Historian
October 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
October 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Busy days running around visiting archives…incl. The London Archives today to view insurance records and deeds…including a huge mortgage document from 1781! 😀🙈 #househistories #househistory #archives
October 23, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Busy days running around visiting archives…incl. The London Archives today to view insurance records and deeds…including a huge mortgage document from 1781! 😀🙈 #househistories #househistory #archives
Reposted by House Historian
A wonderful house in the Peak District in today’s #househistory feature in The Times - with links to Charlotte Brontë and Jane Eyre!! 😀😄 #househistories #history #Derbyshire #JaneEyre
October 17, 2025 at 12:12 PM
A wonderful house in the Peak District in today’s #househistory feature in The Times - with links to Charlotte Brontë and Jane Eyre!! 😀😄 #househistories #history #Derbyshire #JaneEyre