Donation by Samuel Bircham
It was in 1919 that Samuel Bircham donated part of the building to Reepham to be used as a Reading Room, setting up a Trust to control it. The remaining portion was passed to the Trust on Samuel’s death in 1923.
A Brief History of the Building
Records suggest that the origins of North Wing of the building may have been in existence before a serious fire wiped out most of the town in 1542; that part of the building certainly dates back to at least the 1600s. It was known as Hackford House for much of its history and was extended in the 17th century. The current gothic-style porch was added in the 1830s.
Having served as a Rectory for many years, the building was acquired by the Bircham family in the 1860s. Parts of the house were lived in by family members over the years, with other parts leased by Reepham’s “Reading Room Committee” and used by the local Scout Troop.
In the First World War, the house was used as a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital, providing a Nurses’ Home and facilities for patients alongside the wards in what is now Reepham Town Hall.
Following the war, Samuel Bircham gave part of the house used as a Reading Room and Club Room to the town. He signed a declaration at the time to say that his gift to the town was “a thanks offering to Almighty God for the victory he gave in the war 1914-1918…” The remainder of the building was passed to the Trust on Samuel’s death in 1923.
During the Second World War, it was used by the Red Cross, the Home Guard, the ARP and the Observer Corps.
The Trust became a registered charity in 1965, and the Public Library was established in 1969. Since then it has become a much loved part of the Reepham community, serving the town in many ways.
Bircham Centre Going Forward
The Bircham Centre belongs to Reepham and is run by the Bircham Centre Charity. You can find out More about the Charity here. The Trustees have the responsibility of ensuring that our beautiful building can continue to serve the needs of Reepham for years to come.
Get Involved
The Bircham Centre Charity is always looking for new Trustees. Trustees can stay for a maximum of 6 years, usually in two 3-year terms. This means our Board is an ever-changing body of active participants, not a clique or set in its ways. New ideas are welcomed: we all want to make best use of this amazing community asset. New trustees and volunteers are needed, welcomed and valued so if you have time to give, regularly or as a one off, or specific skills you think could at some point be of help PLEASE get in touch and help keep this fabulous resource at the heart of Reepham.
