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London Metropolitan Archives

METROPOLITAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND CATTLE TROUGH ASSOCIATION


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0074 ACC/3168

Held at: London Metropolitan Archives

Title: METROPOLITAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND CATTLE TROUGH ASSOCIATION

Date(s): 1859-1992

Level of description: Collection

Extent: 13.38 linear metres

Name of creator(s): Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association x Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association, as it was originally known, was established by Samuel Gurney, MP, in 1859. As a charity it aimed to provide the poor living in London with a clean, fresh water supply. The cholera epidemics of 1848-9 and 1853-4 had demonstrated the need for such action. The first drinking fountain was erected in 1859 against the wall of St Sepulchre's Church, Snow Hill.

Although the Association was largely motivated by the need for a hygienic water supply, it also had the support of temperance organisations, who disliked the fact the beer was more readily available than water.

The Association was also concerned with animal welfare, and erected a considerable number of cattle and horse troughs in and around London. By 1865 the majority of drinking fountains also had troughs for dogs attached to them.

By the 1930s the emphasis of the Association's work had changed. There was no longer such a great need to provide drinking facilities for animals in London as livestock ceased to be herded through the streets to market, and horse drawn vehicles were no longer prevalent. The Association, therefore, concentrated on providing drinking facilities in parks and other recreational areas, as well as schools.

Despite its name the Association has never restricted its work to the London area. It has been responsible for the construction of fountains all over the British Isles, as well as in such countries as Australia, Africa, Japan and Korea.

The Association still exists today and is known as the Drinking Fountain Association.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association, later known as the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association; including minutes; agendas; constitution; annual reports; records relating to property and structures (fountains); correspondence; bequests and trusts; staff; financial accounts; plans; photographs; printed material including press cuttings and histories, and case files relating to individual fountains.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

ACC/3168-1: Administration; ACC/3168-2: Finance; ACC/3168-3: Related Documentation.

Conditions governing access:

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

Physical characteristics:

Fit

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Documents deposited in March 1993.

ALLIED MATERIALS

DESCRIPTION NOTES Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: June to August 2010.


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Animal welfare | Zoology
Charities administration | Charities | Charitable organisations | Associations | Organizations
Charity accounts | Charity records | Documents | Information sources
Drinking water | Water
Fountains | Monuments | Architecture
Horse troughs | Street furniture | Transport infrastructure
Water consumption | Water resources management
Water supply | Water resources management
Nonprofit organizations

Personal names

Corporate names
Drinking Fountain Association
Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association x Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association

Places
London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe