Save Undershaw!

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'Undershaw in Hindhead, Surrey, United Kingdom, is the former residence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his family. A fine example of Edwardian architecture, it was built in 1897 in an era when few houses were actually designed by the occupier.'--Undershaw Preservation Trust
There is a crisis occurring across the pond which needs the immediate attention and support of every Sherlockian. Undershaw, the home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from 1897 to 1921, where "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" were written, is in great danger of being lost to us and future generations forever. A developer plans to permanently and irretrievably subdivide the house into three townhomes and build five more townhomes on the property, ruining the integrity of the house and destroying its historical value. The Undershaw Preservation Trust hopes to gather enough support from Sherlockians all over the world to change these plans and preserve Undershaw.


Mark Gatiss Becomes Patron and Sponsor of Undershaw Preservation Trust

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The Undershaw Preservation Trust is pleased to have the support of Mark Gatiss, Patron and Sponsor, in this campaign to save Undershaw. Mr. Gatiss is an actor, screenwriter, and novelist, and portrays Mycroft Holmes in the BBC "Sherlock" series. This is what Mr. Gatiss has to say about Undershaw:

“I would like to express my whole-hearted enthusiasm for the campaign to save Undershaw. It seems to me a very sad reflection on our times that the home of one of our greatest and most popular writers should be so neglected and in danger of unsympathetic redevelopment.            

"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle occupied several residences in his prolific and thrilling career, only Undershaw bears the stamp of his massive personality. Here the Hound of the Baskervilles first breathed spectral life and Sherlock Holmes himself was resurrected from the Reichenbach Falls. Here Stoker, Barrie and Hornung and many others were entertained. It’s no exaggeration to say that Undershaw was the centre of Doyle’s life during perhaps the most fruitful and fascinating phase of his career. It must be saved and take its place among the sensitively preserved residences of this country’s other literary giants. This is certainly a three-pipe problem but not, I am convinced, an insoluble one.”   

UPT logo by Thomas Ryan Ward

For an article on Undershaw on the Baker Street Blog, go here.

How Can You Help?

Five Easy Ways to Help Save Undershaw
  1. Like Undershaw Preservation Trust on Facebook    
  2. Suggest the Trust to your Facebook friends  using the ‘Share’ link at the bottom left of the UPT Facebook page    
  3. Follow @spiritangel04 on Twitter. Retweet their tweets so that your followers see them    
  4. Tweet a #FollowFriday recommendation for Undershaw   
  5. Mention "Save Undershaw" on your blog and add the site to your links section
Watson's Tin Box is pleased to have one of its members, Jacquelynn Morris, as one of the U.S. representatives for the Undershaw Preservation Trust. You can contact Jacquelynn at jacquelynnmorris@gmail.com.