IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 LMA/4025
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIOUS CLASSES
Date(s): 1841-1873
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 0.07 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Metropolitan Association (founded 1841, incorporated by Royal Charter 1845) was the first organisation to build 'social' housing on a large scale. It was part of the philanthropic movement which reserved the right to profit for the investor (commonly known as Five Per Cent Philanthropy). Its pioneering block dwellings in Old Pancras Road, London were completed in 1848 and acted as a model for future developments in other big cities. Indeed the Association had branches in Liverpool, Newcastle, Torquay, Bristol, Wolverhampton, Sunderland, Brighton, Dudley, Ramsgate and Southampton.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes. The minutes (LMA/4025/01) describe in detail the foundation of the Association, its aims and objectives. They document its development from a well-intentioned philanthropic organisation to a major provider of housing (12 substantial blocks by 1873). The activities recorded range from fund-raising to land acquisition and from collections of mortality statistics to estate management.
The visitors book (LMA/4025/03) records the important visitors to Old Pancras Road including Prince Albert, Lord Shaftesbury, Mr Gladstone, Charles Kingsley and Dr Southwood Smith.
These manuscripts have not been accessible to researchers before and are an exciting discovery. They were purchased with assistance from the Purchase Grant Fund administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
LMA/4025/01: Minutes; LMA/4025/02: Annual report; LMA/4025/03: Visitors Book.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.
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:
This small manuscript archive was purchased in 1997.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
These records complement the records of housing already at LMA both in the official records (of the Greater London Council, London County Council, Metropolitan Board of Works, Metropolitan Buildings Office) and the deposited records, of Peabody Trust (ACC/3445/PT), Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes (ACC/3445/SIC), the Sutton Dwellings Trust (ACC/2983), and the Improved Industrial Dwellings Co. Ltd. (LMA/4013).
Publication note:
Burnett, John; A Social History of Housing (LMA Library ref: 28.6 BUR).
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Date(s) of descriptions: June to August 2010.