Catalogue description Ionides / Dannreuther family of Windycroft, Hastings, East Sussex

For the purposes of this list, the collections have been divided into: documents relating to the property known as Windycroft, High Wickham, Hastings, East Sussex, and personal documents relating to members of the Ionides and Dannreuther families who lived at Windycroft.

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

Dannreuther family of Hastings, Sussex

Ionides family of Hastings, Sussex

• Hastings, Sussex
• Architecture

The property known as Windycroft was built on the plots of 2 smaller properties overlooking the old town of Hastings. The first no 15 High Wickham, was first purchased by Alexander and Constantine Ionides for their son and brother-in-law Edward Dannreuther in 1880. The second no 14 High Wickham, was purchased in 1882. Work on building Windycroft began in 1883. In 1911 part of the house was badly damaged by fire. Many of the documents in the collection relate to the repairs carried out at this time.

The house remained in the possession of the Dannreuther family until 1978 and the majority of the fittings are still in place, in what remains a private residence.

The Ionides family were friends and patrons of many well known 19th century artists. Constantine Ionides, son of Alexander and brother of Chariclea Dannreuther bought and commissioned works by Rossetti and Millais and eventually bequeathed his collection of old masters as well as 19th century paintings to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Aglaia Ionides, daughter of Alexander and sister of Chariclea Dannreuther was drawn by Rossetti and was a confidante and correspondent of both Rossetti and William Morris.