Collection GB 0074 LMA/4025 - METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIOUS CLASSES

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 LMA/4025

Title

METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIOUS CLASSES

Date(s)

  • 1841-1873 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

0.07 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

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.

Archival history

GB 0074 LMA/4025 1841-1873 Collection 0.07 linear metres Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes

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.

This small manuscript archive was purchased in 1997.

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.

LMA/4025/01: Minutes; LMA/4025/02: Annual report; LMA/4025/03: Visitors Book.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

English

Fit

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

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).

Burnett, John; A Social History of Housing (LMA Library ref: 28.6 BUR).

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.

June to August 2010. Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes Housing construction Housing needs Housing maintenance Social housing Social and economic rights Organizations Right to housing Associations Housing associations Construction engineering Building design Building standards Accommodation Housing Housing provision London England UK Western Europe Europe Housing policy

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

This small manuscript archive was purchased in 1997.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

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.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

LMA/4025/01: Minutes; LMA/4025/02: Annual report; LMA/4025/03: Visitors Book.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

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).

Finding aids

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

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

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.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area