Welcome to the Museum of William Browne's Hospital

Stamford Lincolnshire

One could say that Stamford  is a Kew Gardens of wonderful buildings. Walking around its pathways is a feast to the discerning eye as many of the early structures survive the ravages of time and the desire to improve. One of the very early flowers in the garden is the Hospital of William Browne with its south facing range dominating the west end of Broad Street. This part of the building, relatively unaltered, stands as a fitting memorial to one of Stamford’s most thoughtful and benevolent business men.

Click the picture below to enter the gallery

William Browne was a wealthy wool merchant of the Staple of Calais. Like his father, and his brother John, William was active in the civic life of the town and six times served as Alderman (i.e. Mayor). Some fourteen years before his death in 1489 William formed the plan of establishing an almshouse in Stamford now known as "Browne’s Hospital". He left many properties of which the rents and incomes were to be used to give financial support to this charity for ever.