Collection GB 0074 ACC/3168 - METROPOLITAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND CATTLE TROUGH ASSOCIATION

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 ACC/3168

Title

METROPOLITAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND CATTLE TROUGH ASSOCIATION

Date(s)

  • 1859-1992 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

13.38 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association, as it was originally known, was established by Samuel Gurney, MP, in 1859. As a charity it aimed to provide the poor living in London with a clean, fresh water supply. The cholera epidemics of 1848-9 and 1853-4 had demonstrated the need for such action. The first drinking fountain was erected in 1859 against the wall of St Sepulchre's Church, Snow Hill.

Although the Association was largely motivated by the need for a hygienic water supply, it also had the support of temperance organisations, who disliked the fact the beer was more readily available than water.

The Association was also concerned with animal welfare, and erected a considerable number of cattle and horse troughs in and around London. By 1865 the majority of drinking fountains also had troughs for dogs attached to them.

By the 1930s the emphasis of the Association's work had changed. There was no longer such a great need to provide drinking facilities for animals in London as livestock ceased to be herded through the streets to market, and horse drawn vehicles were no longer prevalent. The Association, therefore, concentrated on providing drinking facilities in parks and other recreational areas, as well as schools.

Despite its name the Association has never restricted its work to the London area. It has been responsible for the construction of fountains all over the British Isles, as well as in such countries as Australia, Africa, Japan and Korea.

The Association still exists today and is known as the Drinking Fountain Association.

Archival history

GB 0074 ACC/3168 1859-1992 Collection 13.38 linear metres Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association x Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association

The Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association, as it was originally known, was established by Samuel Gurney, MP, in 1859. As a charity it aimed to provide the poor living in London with a clean, fresh water supply. The cholera epidemics of 1848-9 and 1853-4 had demonstrated the need for such action. The first drinking fountain was erected in 1859 against the wall of St Sepulchre's Church, Snow Hill.

Although the Association was largely motivated by the need for a hygienic water supply, it also had the support of temperance organisations, who disliked the fact the beer was more readily available than water.

The Association was also concerned with animal welfare, and erected a considerable number of cattle and horse troughs in and around London. By 1865 the majority of drinking fountains also had troughs for dogs attached to them.

By the 1930s the emphasis of the Association's work had changed. There was no longer such a great need to provide drinking facilities for animals in London as livestock ceased to be herded through the streets to market, and horse drawn vehicles were no longer prevalent. The Association, therefore, concentrated on providing drinking facilities in parks and other recreational areas, as well as schools.

Despite its name the Association has never restricted its work to the London area. It has been responsible for the construction of fountains all over the British Isles, as well as in such countries as Australia, Africa, Japan and Korea.

The Association still exists today and is known as the Drinking Fountain Association.

Documents deposited in March 1993.

Records of the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association, later known as the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association; including minutes; agendas; constitution; annual reports; records relating to property and structures (fountains); correspondence; bequests and trusts; staff; financial accounts; plans; photographs; printed material including press cuttings and histories, and case files relating to individual fountains.

ACC/3168-1: Administration; ACC/3168-2: Finance; ACC/3168-3: Related Documentation.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

English

Fit

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

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. Water supply Water Drinking water Associations Organizations Charitable organisations Charities Charities administration Architecture Fountains Monuments Transport infrastructure Street furniture Horse troughs Water resources management Water consumption Charity records Documents Information sources Charity accounts Zoology Animal welfare Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association x Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association Drinking Fountain Association London England UK Western Europe Europe Nonprofit organizations

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Documents deposited in March 1993.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association, later known as the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association; including minutes; agendas; constitution; annual reports; records relating to property and structures (fountains); correspondence; bequests and trusts; staff; financial accounts; plans; photographs; printed material including press cuttings and histories, and case files relating to individual fountains.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

ACC/3168-1: Administration; ACC/3168-2: Finance; ACC/3168-3: Related Documentation.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

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