Dover: Lock and Key of the Kingdom

Maison Dieu House was built in 1665, to serve as a residence  for the Agent Victualler, after the Maison Dieu was converted  into a Navy Victualling Office. It continued to be used for this  purpose until after the Battle of Waterloo (1815). Subsequently it was used by the Ordnance Department as a residence for the officer commanding the Royal Engineers at Dover until 1834.   After this it was sold as a private residence. Mr R. W.  Mummery, who was three times Mayor of Dover, lived there  and died there in 1869. In 1855 the famous mountaineer  Albert Mummery was born in the house.   In 1904 Maison Dieu House was purchased by Dover  Corporation and used as the offices of the Borough Engineer  and Electricity Department. In the 1920s the town's War  Memorial was erected on the lawn in front of the house. After being damaged during the Second World War the building  was converted for use as a public library. The Library opened in Maison Dieu House in 1952, moving from the Biggin Hall where  it had been housed after it's original premises were destroyed  during the war. As well the fine red brick façade many original features  survive. There is the magnificent 17th Century staircase,  together with exposed ceiling beams and in some rooms  original wall panelling.   This beautiful building was home to Dover's excellent library  until June 2003 when it closed prior to its move to the Dover  Discovery Centre. During early 2004 the building was  converted into offices for Dover Town Council, who moved into  their new home in late summer 2004.