Charity Organization Seeks Funds for Repair of Shakespeare Family Home 0 10

Hall's Croft, located in Stratford-upon-Avon, is a two-story house with a pharmacy where Shakespeare often stayed after returning from London. The house is a museum and attracts over 300,000 visitors annually, according to the National Trust, highlighting its role in preserving the legacy of the great playwright. The accident occurred on the evening of November 20, 2025, when an out-of-control car crashed at high speed into the fence and facade of the building, damaging Victorian bricks and oak beams. No one was injured, but experts estimate the repair costs at $500,000, including the reconstruction of the damaged parts and measures to protect against future incidents.

According to the executive director of the trust, Dr. Emma Hilton, Hall's Croft is not just a house but a living part of Shakespeare's history: his daughter, Susanna, was born here, and family gatherings took place. "This place inspires millions, but it requires urgent protection," she stated. The campaign launched on the JustGiving platform has already raised preliminary donations from over 2,000 people, including contributions from patrons such as actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company. The success of such initiatives has been demonstrated by previous campaigns to preserve other Shakespearean sites, such as the Globe Theatre in London, which raised $1 million in 2023 for restoration after a fire.

To enhance security, the trust plans to install surveillance cameras and barriers around the site, which will cost an additional $50,000. According to West Midlands Police, the incident is being investigated as an accident, but it underscores the growing challenges of protecting historical sites in tourist areas. Shakespeare died in 1616, and his home in Stratford, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, received $20 million for repairs in 2019, demonstrating the enduring relevance of the writer's legacy in the modern world.