Allerton Castle will 'continue to be run in its current form' after death of man who saved it

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The charity that owns Allerton Castle has said it will "continue to be run in its current form" following the death of Dr Gerard Rolph.

American-born Dr Rolph purchased the castle, near Knaresborough, when it was in a state of disrepair in 1983.

He spent a great deal of money restoring it and in 1986 founded The Gerald Arthur Rolph Foundation for Historic Preservation and Education.

A fire in January 2005 destroyed a third of the castle, just as it was close to completion. Dr Rolph once again supported its restoration.

In 2016, Dr Rolph gifted the castle, its contents, grounds and estate to the foundation, which is managed by four trustees.

They include two of Dr Rolph's nephews — Colonel Donald Rolph and Mark Rolph — as well as Goldsborough Hall owner Mark Oglesby and Dr Rolph's friend, Jon B. Wright.

Dr Rolph was awarded an OBE in 2020 for outstanding contributions to the preservation of heritage buildings.

The foundation announced this week that he died on December 2, aged 92.

The Stray Ferret asked the foundation what impact Dr Rolph's death would have on the castle, which was built between 1848 and 1854 on the estate given to William Mauleverer, who came to England with William the Conqueror.

Oliver Stewart, director of the foundation, replied:

Allerton Castle regularly holds tours to allow people to visit the building and its grounds. It also hosts weddings.