Delve into the unseen history of the Terry family

CHOCOLATE lovers and history buffs alike will be able to delve into the heritage of York's famous Terry family through rarely seen photographs and mementoes.

Goddards, the Terry family home commissioned by Noel Terry for his wife Kathleen and his children close to their York factory in 1927, is opening its archives to give visitors a feel for what life was like in the house in the twentieth century.

Each Friday morning throughout June, starting this week, teams from the National Trust property will be on hand to reveal the fascinating stories behind objects from the archive - from what the fairy tales of Katawampus meant to the Terry family, to revealing what porcelain creature used to sit in the porch to greet visitors to Goddards.

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Replica photo albums will give visitors an insight into what life was like in the 1920s and 1930s, while games the family used to play such as Lexicon or bagatelle will be on hand for people to try.

Beccy Roberts  Visitor Experience Officer at Goodards  in York looking through Betty Terry's  photo album alongside her old gym bag (1930-40's)  at  Goddards  in York for the first  Find Out Friday event this Friday.Beccy Roberts  Visitor Experience Officer at Goodards  in York looking through Betty Terry's  photo album alongside her old gym bag (1930-40's)  at  Goddards  in York for the first  Find Out Friday event this Friday.
Beccy Roberts Visitor Experience Officer at Goodards in York looking through Betty Terry's photo album alongside her old gym bag (1930-40's) at Goddards in York for the first Find Out Friday event this Friday.

Visitor experience officer at Goddards, Rebecca Roberts, said: “Find out Fridays are a great opportunity to see a window into the past and relive some nostalgic moments but also deciphering more about the family behind the iconic Terry’s chocolate orange.”

The Art and Crafts-style house in Tadcaster Road was home to the Terry family until the 1980s, when it was bought by the National Trust to house its regional office.

In 2012, part of the house and the garden was opened with a tearoom to visitors who can now enjoy a mix of period rooms, gardens and exhibitions. It was designed by architect Walter Brierley, who was responsible for 300 buildings across York, North Yorkshire and the north between 1885 and the 1920s.