York Conservation Trust cares for many of York’s most historically significant buildings. Originally established as Ings Property Company in 1945 by former Lord Mayor of York, Dr John Bowes Morrell and his brother Cuthbert, the organisation is now freehold custodian of 82 buildings including York Theatre Royal, De Grey Rooms, The Assembly Rooms, St Anthony’s Hall, The Herbert House & Lady Peckett’s Yard, Fairfax House, Ingram House and significant timber framed properties on Micklegate, Walmgate and Goodramgate.
Each building is occupied by commercial or residential tenants and rental income applied in full to programmes of conservation, maintenance, repair and repurposing. In 1976 the organisation became a charitable company, formalising the original intentions of the founders.
