METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIOUS CLASSES

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 LMA/4025
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full 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 & 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.

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

Archivist's note:

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.