| Administrative History | The first hydropathic (water treatment) establishment on Matlock Bank was opened in 1851 by Ralph Davis. John Smedley took it over in 1853 and considerably expanded the number of clients and the buildings over the next twenty years. In the 1920s and 1930s the business declined as the popularity of hydropathy decreased. The building was requisitioned by the War Department during the 1939-1945 war. There was a short-lived revival of the business after 1945. The buildings and grounds were bought by Derbyshire County Council in 1956 as its main administrative centre. |
| Custodial History | These items were deposited in the Record Office by a private individual in 1974, 1979 and 1992. |