# Trust receives its largest ever private donation to help save home of Shakespeare’s daughter

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/09/09/trust-receives-its-largest-ever-private-donation-to-help-save-home-of-shakespeares-daughter/
- Published: 2024-09-09T09:04:20+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has received a £1 million donation from American
playwright Ken Ludwig – the largest private donation the Trust has received in its
177-year history.**

Ludwig gave his donation to support the ongoing conservation of Hall’s Croft, once
home to William Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna.

Hall’s Croft is a Grade 1 listed building and one of the last complete examples 
of Jacobean architecture, dating back to 1613. The house plays a significant role
in the history of Stratford-upon-Avon and the life of Shakespeare’s family. The 
donation will support and strengthen [Shakespeare Birthplace Trust](https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/)’
s conservation programme at the property, to help preserve it for future generations.

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The programme to date has included restoration work to save the building from almost
certain collapse in the late 1940s, further structural repairs in the 1990s and 
mid-2010s, and most recently a comprehensive audit of its conservation requirements.
This saw the Trust work with archaeologists from the University of Staffordshire
to map the exterior of Hall’s Croft using photogrammetry, and created a 3D model
of the property that will be used for research and to inform more targeted repairs.

Tim Cooke, CEO of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust said:

> “This is a fabulous act of generosity on Ken Ludwig’s part, which secures the 
> future of a key element of genuine Shakespearian history and Shakespeare’s own
> family story for both the UK and for visitors from across the globe. Our conservation
> work is a central part of our work as a charity and it enables our visitors and
> audiences to place Shakespeare in time and space as they explore his life story
> and his work, which continues to speak with profound meaning and relevance today.”

Ken Ludwig, who was in the UK last week for the launch of a touring production of
his adaptation of Murder on The Orient Express, commented:

> “Shakespeare is the great foundation for all of us who work in the theatre, and
> it’s an honour to support the preservation of Shakespeare’s legacy in Stratford-
> upon-Avon. As a playwright, restoring Hall’s Croft is a way of giving back for
> the lifetime of joy and inspiration I’ve derived from the British theatre.
>  
> “Hall’s Croft has stood since 1613 – for over 400 years – and I can’t think of
> any project more worthwhile than partnering with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
> to ensure that it stands for the next 400.”

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