The house was owned by various members of the establishment through the ages, and was also rented by Louis Philippe Duc d’Orleans, who later became King of France, whilst he was exiled from France. Today, the Gallery occupies a wing off the house's famous Octagon, which is available as a wedding venue, and also the 19th century stable block to the rear of the house. The rest of the buildings were demolished in 1926.
The remains were bought by a Mrs Levy, who later became Mrs Nellie Ionides, who was an avid collector and subsequently, when she died in 1962, she left the property and her art to the Borough.
Richmond now hosts five temporary exhibitions a year in the main gallery and seven contemporary and community exhibitions a year in the stables, attracting over 56,000 visitors a year.
For more see, http://www.richmond.gov.uk/orleans_house_gallery
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That is a nice part of London there. Orleans House has got a good garden, too (just a nice place to sit)--I like the woodland bit that's between Orleans House and Marble Hill Park. There's a cafe in the stables, too.
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