On Friday, 27 July 1978, the town of Grantham was abuzz about the sale of Harlaxton Manor, as the Manor was purchased by the Trustees of the University of Evansville, led by William Ridgway, from the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church, who eventually gave it to the university.
… the unselfish act of Dr William Ridgway has made ‘a magnificent difference’ to UE. His gift of the Manor has enabled generations of hundreds of American students to have their own unforgettable semester or year-long experiences.” Sarah Ormrod (née Wilson, First Ridgway Scholar), 2016
Harlaxton Manor Archives 