I spent the day at Mary Ward House earlier today for a conference organised by Networked Neighbourhoods, where the ‘Online Neighbourhood Networks Study‘ was launched. It’s a fascinating document, well worth a read, which looks at how local websites can generate civic participation, improve relations with the police and help people feel part of their community.
Anyway, what I wanted to focus on in this post is Mary Ward House itself, built at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement. It dates from 1898 and its construction was financed by the wealthy philanthropist Passmore Edwards, and used by Mary Ward, the novelist and social reformer, to provide training, care and entertainment for the poor in the local community. Although I took a look at it a little while ago when I went on the Kenneth Williams walk, I didn’t get the opportunity to venture inside, but I did today. As you’ll see from these photographs, its original features are largely intact – look at the beautiful panels on the doors and the large, simply designed fireplaces for example. An amazing place that simply exudes history…
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| From Mary Ward House, November 2010 |
November 30, 2010
London Sights