London’s Charterhouse Is The Setting For Philanthropy Exhibition

It is difficult to think of a better venue for an exhibition on 800 years of philanthropy than the Charterhouse in Farringdon, London, a building that owes its own existence to the actions of generous benefactors, as pointed out by Charlie Hobson, Master of Charterhouse.

Charterhouse - philanthropic roots

Founded as a fourteenth century monastery, it came into being as a result of a generous gift by Sir Walter De Mannay. The exhibition is entitled The City Story, and highlights how many gifts and donations over the years have shaped so much of London’s history.

David Farnsworth, chief grants officer of the City of London Corporation’s Charity, City Bridge Trust, takes up the theme of the exhibition.

"From the first public flushing toilets in Dick Whittington's day to helping map the human genome, philanthropy has always broken new ground. By demystifying philanthropy we hope to inspire a new generation of philanthropists.  We want to encourage young people who care so passionately about today's social issues to feel empowered to change them for the better, through the giving of time, money and skills."

Back to Brigadier Hobson who continued, “"A generous gift from Sir Walter de Manny saw the establishment of Europe's largest Carthusian monastery on this site in the 14th Century, and the monks' cells were sponsored by the city's great and good, as was the installation of a series of pipes pumping clean water here from Islington.

"The charity that exists here today - an almshouse for a community of elderly gentlemen - was endowed by our founder, Thomas Sutton, in 1611."

The exhibition is now open at the historic building which is now an almshouse. Exhibits  include an ornate wooden Jewish charity drum that worked like a tombola to select who would receive philanthropic tidings. The show also features art deco posters from the 1920s encouraging people to give to London's hospitals and sketches and wood engravings showing philanthropic events such as The Lord Mayor's show.

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