Rosehill House was built in about 1738 for Richard Ford. He was Clerk to the Coalbrookdale Company under Abraham I, and was later Manager of the Coalbrookdale Ironworks. He married Abraham Darby I's eldest daughter, Mary.

Rosehill House has been restored to show it as it was around 1850. It contains many items which were owned by the Darby family. In the mid 19th Century the house was occupied by Abraham III's youngest son Richard and his wife Maria. After Richard's death in 1860, his daughter Rebecca continued to live in the house until she died in 1908.

The Darby family were Quakers and compared with a typical mid-Victorian house, Rosehill is very simply furnished. In 1851 there were only four servants, who were shared between Rosehill and Dale House. A dozen would have been the norm for two houses of this size.

The Hall

The painting in the hall is of Madeley Court, rented by Abraham Darby I from 1712 until his death in 1717. On either side of this are portraits of Richard and Maria Darby, who lived in the house in the 19th Century.

The Study

This room would have been used for business and for keeping papers relating to the estate and family. The portrait over the fireplace is of Francis Darby.

In 1850 the house was lit by oil and candles as paraffin was not discovered until 1859.

The mistletoe patterned wallpaper was reproduced from a strip that was discovered when the house was being restored.

The Dining Room

This was the room where the family ate their supper and entertained guests. The two large portraits either side of the fireplace are of Alfred Darby I and Rebecca Miller Christy.

Between the windows is a wine store or cellaret. Although the Quaker religion discourages the drinking of alcohol, it did not forbid it and guests were not expected to abstain.

The Stairs & Landing

The two small pictures are on the wall are painted on convex glass. One shows the Iron Bridge of 1779, the other the 1796 Sunderland Bridge. The portrait on the upper landing is of Lucy Burlingham, mother of Alfred Darby I, whose portrait can be seen in the Dining Room.

The Bedroom

This room is furnished as if occupied by Richard Darby's youngest daughter Rebecca who was born in 1832. The iron bed is a reproduction of an 1835 design. On the far side of the bed is a small cabinet with a hidden 'close-stool' or night commode.

Between the windows are two samplers, one dated 1772 by Hannah Brook and the other by Hannah Grant, who later married Francis Darby. The turquoise and gold spill vases (for lighting candles from the fire), candlestick and a ring stand are Coalport porcelain and date from c1840.

The Parlour

This room was used as a day parlour by the women of the family for reading, needlework and drawing, and where they all met and also took their guests after a meal for conversation.

The wallpaper has been copied from a fragment of the original paper which was discovered in the room during restoration.

Exhibition Rooms

The exhibition rooms include Quaker books, family papers and many small items of family memorabilia. From a cup carved from stone, to an ivory toy and a selection of beadwork purses. You can also see items from the Museums Quaker costume collection.

The Kitchen

This room was added to the house in 1810 when alterations were made before Richard and Maria Darby came to live there. The large kitchen range dates from this time when it was the latest thing in range design, with a large oven, a hot water tank and additional small fire boxes for heating the hobs. Separate scullery and pantry rooms would have lead of from the kitchen.

The China Display Room

This room was the original kitchen before the larger kitchen was added in 1810. When Richard and Maria lived here it would have been used as a breakfast room, but was converted back to a kitchen by their daughter Rebecca. A new smaller kitchen range was put in during the 1870s. This room now houses china with Darby Family associations.