House & Family History: The home of industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton from 1766 to 1809, Soho House was probably the first centrally heated house in England since Roman occupation. The Lunar Society was a progressive learned society and dinner club of philosophers, intellectuals, and industrialists that was part of the Midlands Enlightenment. The society met regularly in the English Midlands between 1765 and 1813 at various members' homes, including Soho House, Great Barr Hall, and Erasmus Darwin's house in Lichfield. The group's name derived from the fact that they usually met during a full moon because the extra light made the journey home easier and safer in the days before street lights. The members, who referred to themselves as "lunarticks," counted among their fellows Matthew Boulton, Erasmus Darwin, Thomas Day, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, Samuel Galton, Jr., James Keir, Joseph Priestley, William Small, Jonathan Stokes, James Watt, Josiah Wedgwood, John Whitehurst, William Withering, Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby), and possibly Benjamin Franklin. One of the society's primary missions was the abolition of the slave trade; toward this end Josiah Wedgwood produced anti-slavery Jasperware medallions, the income from which was used to finance the abolitionist movement.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Matthew Boulton, 1766-1809.

Current Ownership Type: Government

Primary Current Ownership Use: Museum

Ownership Details: Owned by Birmingham City Council.

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01215-549-122

Fax: 01215-545-929

Website: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk

Historic Houses Member: No