The History of Debden House

Debden House was a section Debden Hall.

There is a record in 1851 of John Williams owning the Debden Hall Esate, which included Debden Green House (the present Debden House). He was an Essex Magistrate and a Landowner. Mr William died in 1883.

Joseph Thomas Palmer who owned the printing ink manufacturers Slater and Palmer in Marshgate Lane, Stratford purchased the Estate in 1884 and he resided there with his son and sister in-law who acted as a house keeper and seven servants. Mr Palmer died in 1898. His son-in-law Mr. Clarke occupied the Hall until his death in 1917.

The whole Estate, which includes Debden Hall, The Mount, Debden Green House, and Debden Green Farm, was put up for auction on 8th of October 1920 and sold in lots.

Mr Edward Green purchased Debden Green House in 1920 and lived there with his family.

In 1944, after the concept of a place like Debden House was raised to the council, where residential courses and leisure activities can be freely available to the council dwellers and the general public. The council began to search for a suitable property. Many sites did not meet their requirements and they were too far from the borough. Debden House was discovered by one of Newham borough's scout leader and the Land was duly purchased by Newham Council. Two months after the acquisition of the farm, Mr Stevens, the owner of Debden Green House died. His son offered to sell the house to the council and it was purchased by the Council in December 1947 and as a result a large part of the Debden Hall Estate was re-united.

The Official Opening of Debden House for Adult Education, Lesire activities and camping was on the 12th of February 1949.

The opening ceremony, which was performed by the Mayor, Councillor Mrs Knight. provided an opportunity for the members of the Authority and of the neighbouring Authority to see the premises.