:Porth-y-carn, Usk

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox historic site

| name = Porth-y-carn

| image = Porthycarne House, Usk.jpg

| caption = "a restrained white Grecian villa"{{sfn|Newman|2000|p=596}}

| type = House

| locmapin = Wales Monmouthshire

| map_relief = yes

| coordinates = {{coord|51.7042 | -2.9055 |display=inline,title}}

| location = Usk, Monmouthshire

| area =

| built = 19th century

| architect =

| architecture = Neoclassical

| governing_body = Privately owned

| designation1 = Grade II* listed building

| designation1_offname = Porth-y-carn

| designation1_date = 1 April 1974

| designation1_number = 2189

| designation2 =

| designation2_offname =

| designation2_date =

| designation2_number =

}}

Porth-y-carn, Porthycarne Street, Usk, Monmouthshire is an early 19th-century Neoclassical villa. Built c. 1834 for Thomas Reece, the agent of the "iron king", Crawshay Bailey, it is a Grade II* listed building.

History

The architectural historian John Newman suggests a construction date of 1834-5.{{sfn|Newman|2000|p=596}} The client was Thomas Reece, who served as the agent for the industrialist Crawshay Bailey.{{NHAW|num=2189|desc=Porth-y-carn, Usk|grade=II*|access-date=18 April 2022}} Reece also served as a Justice of the Peace, in 1845 serving on a committee of justices to enquire into allegations of misconduct against the governor of the Usk House of Correction.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wm4SAAAAYAAJ&q=Thomas+Reece+Usk&pg=RA1-PA74|title=Parliamentary Papers|date=4 June 2017|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|via=Google Books}} Reece died in 1853.{{cite web|url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D45956|title=The Discovery Service|first=The National|last=Archives|website=discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk}} In the year before his death, the house had the highest rateable value of any property in Usk. Porth-y-carn remains a private residence.

Architecture and description

The villa is of two storeys, the doorcase flanked by a Doric columned porch.{{sfn|Newman|2000|p=596}} Cadw suggests that the interior retains some of its 19th century fittings and furnishings.

Notes

{{Reflist}}

References

  • {{Cite book

|last=Newman|first=John

|author-link=John Newman (architectural historian)

|series=The Buildings of Wales

|title=Gwent/Monmouthshire

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=knRf4U60QjcC&q=The+Buildings+of+Wales%3A+Gwent%2FMonmouthshire&pg=PA2

|year=2000

|publisher=Penguin

|location=London

|isbn=0-14-071053-1

}}

Category:Buildings and structures in Monmouthshire

Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Monmouthshire

Category:Usk