The house was rebuilt by Sir John Harpur, 4th baronet (1680–1741) between 1701 and 1704. The house and estate were owned by successive Harpur baronets and were ultimately inherited by Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe, 10th Baronet (1846–1924), 10th (and last) baronet who was devoted to his vast collections of natural history assembled by the Harpurs and Harpur Crewes of Calke Abbey between 1793 and 1924. When he died, his eldest daughter, Hilda Harpur Crewe (1877–1949) sold some of his collection of birds, butterflies and fishes to pay death duties. She was succeeded by her nephew, Charles Jenney (1917–81), who was the eldest son of Frances Harpur Crewe, the fourth daughter of Sir Vauncey. Charles changed his name to Charles Harpur-Crewe. His sudden death in 1981 led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and in 1985 the estate was transferred to the National Trust by his younger brother Henry Harpur-Crewe (1921–91).
the house was rebuilt by sir john harpur 4th baronet (1680–1741) between 1701 and 1704 the house and estate were owned by successive harpur baronets and were ultimately inherited by sir vauncey harpur-crewe 10th baronet (1846–1924) 10th (and last) baronet who was devoted to his vast collections of natural history assembled by the harpurs and harpur crewes of calke abbey between 1793 and 1924 when he died his eldest daughter hilda harpur crewe (1877–1949) sold some of his collection of birds butterflies and fishes to pay death duties she was succeeded by her nephew charles jenney (1917–81) who was the eldest son of frances harpur crewe the fourth daughter of sir vauncey charles changed his name to charles harpur-crewe his sudden death in 1981 led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and in 1985 the estate was transferred to the national trust by his younger brother henry harpur-crewe (1921–91)