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.
Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes