Rushmore House

ST 91 NE BERWICK ST. JOHN RUSHMORE PARK

9/57 Rushmore House

GV II

Country house, now Sandroyd School. Early C19, remodelled and extended c1880, for General Pitt-Rivers, by Philip Webb. Limestone ashlar, Welsh slate hipped roofs, ashlar stacks. House consists of early C19 range with larger late Cl9 range attached to south. 2-storey 11-window front, 3 bays to left are late C19 facade fronting earlier build. Flat-roofed late C19 porch to left of centre has Ionic columns with banded vermiculation and angular volutes, and entablature, double 6-panelled doors and fanlight, to left are 3 tall casements with keystones, centre with eared architrave, to right is 1 casement, 2-storey canted bay with casements, 2 blind windows to right. First floor has 3 tall casements with moulded architraves and segmental or triangular pediments, over door are 2 casements, to right is canted bay and 2 casements and 1 blind window. Modillioned cornice and balustraded parapet to right, panelled parapet to left. Four pedimented dormers. Early C19 three-storey range to left is rendered with four 12-pane sashes and plat bands, shallow pitched hipped roof. Right return is 2-storey, 9-window garden front with flanking 2- storey canted bays with casements in moulded architraves with keystones, casements and French windows to centre bays, first floor has casements, same cornice and balustraded parapet as front, 4 pedimented dormers to roof. Rear has similar windows as front with 1 canted bay to centre, early C19 range to right has sashes and late C19 mullioned and transomed window lighting stairs. Interior has fittings of 1880s; 6-panelled and double 6-panelled doors, entrance hall has door with open pediment and marble fireplaces. Stair hall has full-height panelling and bolection- moulded door cases, early C18-style stairs with 3 turned balusters per tread and ramped handrail. Attached to left return is large C20 single-storey extension with similar details to main house. General A.H.Lane Fox Pitt-Rivers, a pioneer in archaeological technique acquired Rushmore House in 1880 and studied and lived in Cranborne Chase until his death in 1900.

Listing NGR: ST9532318438