Fairfield House , in Newbridge, Bath, England is a Grade II registered building. It was the residence of Haile Selassie I, the Ethiopian Emperor, for the five years he spent in exile (1936-41). After returning to Ethiopia, he donated it to the city of Bath in 1958 as a residence for the elderly.
This two-story Italian home was built around 1850, probably by James Wilson.
The house was of great significance to the British Rastafari movement because it was purchased in 1936 by Haile Selassie I after the death of previous owner Mrs Campbell-White, after a short stay at Bath Spa Hotel, while the house was renovated. She stayed home with her family and staff for five years. The renovation provides a large double drawing room with two fireplaces, and a dining area with kitchen. Rooms for Haile Selassie to meet contacts and supporters include a 'phone room' or small office and a morning lounge. There are five 'main' bedrooms with rooms in the attic for valet. There have been many reports of "Haile Selassie I is my next-door neighbor" among the children who were still children in the Bath area during his stay.
In 1943, it was used as a home for babies who were evacuated from Chippenham. Haile Selassie gave the house to City of Bath in 1958 during a visit when she was given the Freedom of the City.
Fairfield House was used as a nursing home until 1993, when new room size requirements made it unsuitable for such use. It has since been used as a day center by a number of groups including the Ethnic Bath Ethnic Young Ethnic Association, Concern for Age, Ethiopian Coptic Church and a Rastafari church. In 2014, a community group, Friends of Fairfield House, is negotiating for the Transfer of Community Assets to preserve and develop the House.
Video Fairfield House, Bath
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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