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A blue plaque commemorating an eminent Cheltenham architect and builder has been unveiled on the side of the Masonic Hall he designed and built. The plaque at the Masonic Hall at 2 Portland Street commemorates the life of George Allen Underwood.
It was unveiled yesterday by Mayor David Willingham (LD, St Peters). The plaque commemorates the life of George Allen Underwood, an eminent Cheltenham architect and builder, who designed and built the Masonic Hall.
The building is believed to be the second oldest purpose-built masonic lodge in England. It is understood to be also the oldest non-ecclesiastical public building in the spa town still used for the purpose for which it was designed.
David Mason, chairman of the Cheltenham Masonic Association Ltd, said: “George Allen Underwood played a key role in shaping Cheltenham’s early architecture, designing landmark buildings like Montpellier Spa, the Municipal Offices, and the Masonic Hall itself.
“As a Freemason initiated in a lodge that met here, it’s especially fitting that we mark his legacy with this blue plaque on a building he both designed and knew well.”
Mike Rigby, Cheltenham Civic Society’s blue plaques officer, said they commemorate people who have had a significant impact on the town. “Our Blue Plaques commemorate many creative, brave and famous people who lived in Cheltenham, and in particular those who had a significant impact on the development of our town,” he said.
“We’ve created two Google maps that everyone can use to explore the town to find all of our plaques and learn about the people and events that helped to shape Cheltenham.”
The blue plaques which are about people can be found here . While green plaques which record historic events can be seen here.
Cheltenham Masonic Hall was designed and built in 1823 by architect and Freemason George Allen Underwood and was one of the first purpose-built Masonic Halls in England. After 200 years of regular use, the building retains all its Regency features.
The plaque celebrates the heritage significance of the building and the importance of its architect and builder.
He was a pupil of Sir John Soane from 1807 to 1815 and then started his own practice in Cheltenham. And was later surveyor for Somerset, Dorset, and the Dean and Chapter of Wells before moving to Bath in the 1820s.
He was responsable for several important buildings in Cheltenham including the Long Room in Montpellier Spa, Sherborne Spa, Holy Trinity Church, the facade of the now demolished Plough Hotel which made way for Regetns Arcade.
Harwards Buildings in the Promenade which are now the Municipal Offices and St Margaret’s Terrace.
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