Maison Dieu House

The Maison Dieu House is believed to be one of the oldest domestic buildings in this area built in the 1660s, though the origin of its name began much earlier. In the 13th Century, a building called the Maison Dieu or House of God was built to accommodate pilgrims who rested here while on their way to visit the shrine of the famous Thomas Beckett at Canterbury. In the 17th Century, Maison Dieu was converted into a Navy Office and this building, the Maison Dieu House, was built as the residence for naval officers.

This building changed hands and functions multiple times. It became a private residence for a good part of the 19th Century, but was bought back by the Dover Corporation in the early 20th Century. When the Public Library was destroyed during the Second World War, this building functioned as the temporary library. The library moved out only in 2004, and then the Dover Town Council moved their offices here.20th Century. When the Public Library was destroyed during the Second World War, this building functioned as the temporary library. The library moved out only in 2004, and then the Dover Town Council moved their offices here.
During the passage of time the structure has been restored and refurbished by its various occupants so one can expect an interesting melange of styles. The red brick façade, restored quite recently, looks good even after so many years. Inside, there is a Jacobean staircase made of solid oak complimented by Victorian stained glass windows. Some rooms have original wall panelling and exposed ceiling beams. All in all, for an admirer of heritage buildings, this is a treasure trove. I, for one, would have loved it to have remained a library. Heritage buildings stuffed with books—it doesn’t get better than that, does it?