"Allegory," Palma Vecchio, circa 1510-15. In the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This image is in the public domain.
Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the late 18th century Ray House.
Built / Designed For: Sir James Wright
House & Family History: Sir James Wright was an owner of the Fountain Plantation on St. Kitts, which was almost certainly worked by enslaved people.
House Replaced By: After Ray House burned in 1838 a smaller house, Ray Lodge House, was built (circa 1840) on the site.
Collections: Sir James Wright formed an important collection of paintings at Ray House, including works by Joshua Reynolds, Johann Zoffany, and Palma Vecchio (see "Images" section).
Garden & Outbuildings: The former grounds of the estate are today a public park. The 18th century stables are today a visitor center for the park.
Architect: John Buonarotti Papworth
Date: 1796-97Architect: Robert Adam
Date: 1773-77
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pg. 752
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Not Listed
Possible Seat of: Destroyed by fire in 1838
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: William atte Ree, 1235-70; John atte Ree, 15th century. Clealand family, until 1732. Alvar Lopez Suasso, 1732-36. James Hannot, 18th century; Bennert Hannot, until circa 1770. Sir James Wright, 1st Bt., 1770-97. SEATED AT 18TH CENTURY HOUSE: Sir James Wright, 1st Bt., 1797-1804; Sir George Wright, 2nd Bt., 1804. Benjamin Hanson Inglish, 1804-38.
Current Ownership Type: Government
Primary Current Ownership Use: Public Park
Ownership Details: Since 1958 the land surrounding the house has been a public park
House Open to Public: Grounds Only
Historic Houses Member: No