Foundling Museum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Foundling Museum was set up in 1998 and houses the nationally important art collection of the Foundling Hospital. After a major building refurbishment it opened to the public as a state-of-the-art museum in June of 2004. The Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, and examines the work of its founder Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel. It also illustrates how the Foundling Hospital's charity work for children is still carried on today by Coram Family.
[edit] Architecture
The building in which the museum resides, located at Brunswick Square, was built in 1935–1937 and incorporates architectural features as well as original Rococo interiors from the first Foundling Hospital, which was built in 1741, but demolished in 1926. The current building served as the London headquarters after the child care operation was moved out to the countryside.
The refurbishment of 2003–2004 was designed by the London architectural firm Jestico and Whiles. A new section, carried out in modern style, was added to the building at this time. The building has thus become a successful amalgamation of architectural styles from the 18th century, the 1930s, and today.
