Visiting the Foundling Museum
See what's hiding by Brunswick Square
It was a chance meeting between myself and the Foundling Museum which just happened during a recent stroll through Bloomsbury. I was heading toward Tavistock Square when I chanced upon the museum on the far end of Brunswick Square.
The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital and it does not disappoint. I had expected the normal fare of interesting but perhaps limited content of many similar lesser known institutions in London. This place however is far removed from any of that. On entering the building you are bidden to a collection of displays covering the who, why, what and how of 18th century foundling institutes. There are numerous heart-rending stories of these lost little souls and the pitiful conditions that forced them to be washed ashore to this well-meaning establishment like so much Georgian flotsam and jetsam. There is an absolutely tear jerking display full of the mementoes that mothers would leave with their offspring in the hope that one day they might return and reclaim them in better times.
I learned that hospital and grounds were established by 3 notable philanthropists of the time Handel, William Hogarth and Thomas Coram (whose statue commands the space outside the front of the building). In fact many of the work that these worthy gentlemen are on display in other areas of the building. These include Hogarth’s “The Guards Progress’ apparently rejected as a gift to the reigning monarch and many of Handel’s artifacts including his last will and testament. I also took in Child’s Play, an exhibition of photographs on the lower ground floor. The staff were really knowledgeable and delighted in imparting really useful information . I was amazed that there were not more visitors but that was my good fortune.
There is also a decent restaurant at the front of the building that serves a decent flat white and what seemed to be a good variety of food and drink. At £5 for the entrance fee this was an absolute bargain. I would definitely encourage visitors to get this on their trip planner – but don’t forget to take the kleenex.
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