Tread Softly…
If you walk down Marchmont Street near Russell Square tube, you’ll see strange devices in the paving slabs. Here is a montage featuring most of them.
Why?
They are actually accurate representations of tokens from the nearby Foundling Museum, one of London’s most interesting, an institution which is both heartbreaking and uplifting. We’ve covered it elsewhere but not for a while and I shall write about its new exhibition in the next day or so. The museum remembers for posterity the Foundling Hospital, set up in the mid 18th century as a home for unwanted babies who were then raised and educated by the institution. Some of these children were left a token by their mothers as a remembrance which – sadly – they were never given. There are many on display, but here are some of the originals which feature in the paving.
I don’t know who decorated the pavement with these signs which probably go largely unnoticed by Londoners and visitors alike but it’s a thoughtful touch. Look out for them and, if you have time, go and see the real ones at the Foundling Museum nearby.
Hi Mike
Agreed, these tokens are a reminder about the foundlings on my journey to work each day. They are the work of an artist called John Aldus, and were put there when the Brunswick Centre was redeveloped a few years ago, part of scheme devised by the local residents, Camden Council and the developers – more here http://www.johnaldus.net/tokens.html
Rob Smith
Thanks, Rob, for enlightening. Good for them.
I imagine the original tokens were left by parents, less as a gift for the child later than as a means of establishing their identity and connection with the child if ever they managed to become affluent enough to claim the child. In an age when many adults could not read and write such tokens would be necessary.
The fact that so many tokens remain in store tells us at least two things; firstly, that the management of the hospital was ready to cooperate with the return of the child in happier circumstances and, secondly, that very few parents ever managed to recover from destitution and claim their children.
The hospital undoubtedly saved many children who might otherwise have perished on the streets along with their parents.
Thanks, ST. The main identification match-up devices were pieces of fabric which were attached to the child’s enrollment form as featured in the museum’s Threads of Feeling exhibition from a few years ago. They’re thinking of repeating this show, BTW. Whether these hard tokens were used prior to the fabric system or alongside it, I’m not sure, would need to check. The sad fact though is that only about one in a hundred children were ever reclaimed. There’s a very moving web site dedicated to the tokens here:
http://www.threadsoffeeling.com/
As a mother, the heartfelt notes promising to return for the child broke my heart. I’ll always wonder about those children.
I love these. The originals make me cry, and the pavement ones come close: until I’m distracted by Skoob…
I get distracted by Skoob, happened last week which caused domino lateness for the rest of the day.
Thank you for sharing this. I no longer find myself in that part of London often enough, but I’d now love to make the effort to go and visit the museum. As it gets colder, museums have a distinctive pull!
I love that London still retains the history of the people who have inhabited it. The city is so alive, but sometimes a little too rushed and anonymous. It’s always important to take time out for such things as they help us stay mindful of the present too.
Beautiful. Thanks again for sharing this.
Thanks, TIL, very nice of you to say.
What a touching story! Thanks for sharing it.
I have translated part of it into Dutch on my blog and referred to your blog. Hope Dutch visitors will go to Marchmont Street and visit The Foundling Museum.
Thank you, Tina.
I occasionally walk this way to work and have been intrigued by what these were. And now I know, so thanks very much for an interesting post!