Thank you for covering this museum, Jessica. Oddly, my brother and I rather benefitted from Coram too, albeit much later (1975). Our mother had finally decided to escape our violent father but, at that time (in Scotland), she could not be allocated a local authority home in her own right as she was already classed as suitably housed since our father held a tenancy. We opted for London and ended up in the care of the Salvation Army before moving to various homeless family units in the Kings Cross area. Coram’s Field was our happy place. Mum was often depressed, tired, angry so my brother and I spent hours there, every day (during the summer school holiday) and it took us away from the rather grim reality at the time. All ended well. We were housed in Hackney, a year later. My mother found work at the Geffrye Museum for a few years (approx 1976-1978). I think you worked there too, later. Funny world, at times, and strange that, in a different way, Captain Coram was still making kids feel a little better even in 1970s London. Cheers, Jessica❤️
I can look at all kinds of horrible relics in museums and historical places, but some of this stuff just really gets me. All those crushed dreams of being reunited some day, the way that even the 'kindness' shown to these kids was apparently so austere and devoid of affection... it's just nightmarish in a really relatable way.
I visited this museum two months ago. I was lucky enough to hear an introduction by a brilliant volunteer. Unfortunately, I don’t remember his name but he was so engaging and informative. He took us to see the Tracey Emin sculpture. I find it so apt and poignant. I did go to the top floor to see the Handel exhibit. I love his music and knew of his connection with Coram and the Foundling Hospital. But I also knew Gerald Coke a little when I was a child. (Pronounced Cook btw, he’s related to the Coke’s of Norfolk, Holkham Hall and all that. But I digress). His amazing collection of Handel manuscripts was given to the museum. Gerald Coke was a governor of the public (in the British sense I.e. elite) boarding school I attended. Amongst other pupils, they also took children from difficult circumstances, if they gained a scholarship and passed an entrance exam. I was one of them. It’s a slight philanthropic link between Coram, Handel and Coke, but it’s a link. And a link with names. And the importance of your name. Before we started at the school, you had to go to an intimidating room in London to be interviewed by a panel of governors. Amazingly, after this one interview, Gerald Coke may not meet you in the school corridor until years later, but he always remembered your name and greeted you by it.
My employer once booked this museum out as a venue for our staff Christmas party! They took efforts to be respectful but it was jarring in the extreme to have cocktails and canapés while surrounded by all this suffering and sadness. This video has reminded me I need to go and visit it properly.
I visited this museum in 2019, just before Covid. It was an incredible experience. Especially seeing the works of Handel. The whole museum brought me to tears. It also filled me with great joy that all of these tragedies could be remembered and shown in such a strong light. It’s when we forget that these sorrows become a real tragedy.
My father was a foundling. His mother attempted to get him back a few months after surrendering him only to be told he had been adopted. He hadn't. He grew up in that home, often starving, subjected to abuse and cruelty that he carried his whole life. Thomas Coram had a heart but those who came after him did it for the money and the power.
How terribly sad for him, his mother, and for you. ❤ Did he reunite with his mother as an adult? How did he come to know his mother tried to get him back? Why would they tell her this?
Absolutely wonderful video as always! I knew about the foundling system (and museum) in the UK, but I didn't expect it to hit my heart so hard this evening. I teach grade 3 (8 year olds) in your home country of Canada -- the idea of any child going through all of this trauma has me weeping. A fair few our students don't have their parents in their life, being raised by relatives or the foster system, and one of them was crying the other day because a song reminded them of their mom who died last year from early onset dementia. I am so glad she has a supportive family, and school family, around her.
Wonderful tour you really have the best channel out there i used to do guided tours of Coleridge cottage years ago. It's gone a bit too commercial now sadly. But my fave poet. Might i say the homeless children problem in London in 2024 is worse than ever ! So its ironic
I wanted to make sure my American audience understood! ;) in my house growing up (in Canada with an Irish grandfather) we said, breakfast, lunch and supper.
Thank you for another informative tour. As I live about a half hour from Deighton Ma I so want to delve deeper into Corams history there. I wonder if there was ever a connection made between these poorhildren brought up with so many life changes at an early age and what may have happened to them in adulthood. I would think it would be hard to be kind and empathetic adults if you haven’t learned it in childhood. So sad. On another subject I watched a video about the Wallace Collection recently and was wondering if you had been there. Maybe not your cup of tea but the video I watched was no where near as informative as yours always are.
Why would the hospital have changed the children's names? I don't understand the reasoning behind that. Really great video as usual, Jessica. This was particularly sad, especially going into the holidays. I can't imagine how desperate you would have to be to leave your child there.
@@Squeazy999 How so? The parents certainly weren't paying. The policy of having to pay back the hospital was only in place for 10 years, let they continued changing the names.
Hey Jessica, I hope you can see this but another RUclipsr I really like called Justin Scarred just put up a video on the Paris Catacombs! I think you would like his channel because he is super into delving into history. He’s even done some stuff on museums of all kinds. Mostly American. I reckon a collab between you guys would be so cool!
@ I’m so excited you saw my recommendation! I really recommend his stuff on route 66, his trip from sea to sea, his visits to the monster museum and such. He really does his research and has some really cool interviews as well as connections. His stuff is pretty eclectic but I think you’ll like most of it.
Appreciate the detailed breakdown! Just a quick off-topic question: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
Wow, this is sounding like the women’s rights in America today. Makes me shiver. With no access to choosing the how and when of your family, this kind of poverty leads to the harm to women and children.
The residential schools in Canada seem to have been direct copies of this method of 'caring' for children. Religion, discipline, and absolutely no affection or compassion.
@@TheMuseumGuide How many woman would have been able to have paid the care for their children - probably amounting to what would be the equivalent of thousands of pounds in today's money. Had the woman ''met a wealthy man'' {unlikely} he wouldn't be wanting to pay for the release of another man's child. I agree- it is a terribly sad museum. The squashed silver thimble was the one that upset me. The hazelnut was also very poignant.
History against women was shocking, to this day they are blamed for unwanted babies, where in hell were the men it takes 2 people to make a baby? This continues today women arent recognised for anything good always bad, i think its about time Men took more rresponsibly.this is a very sad stories for the women and the children,when i think of it history really hasnt changed, foster care, adoptions,single mothers homeless all around the world.
It's not terribly sad - and hardly the saddest. It helped children who might have otherwise died of neglect and starvation. That's about as happy an ending as you could get back then, especially in England.
It’s not terribly sad that mothers had to give up their babies because there was no support to keep them, all the while hoping to be reunited one day even after their child’s name was changed? It’s not terribly sad that the children grew up with no affection? Which museum in London is sadder?
It's good that the foundling hospital filled a need but it's really sad that need existed in the first place. Very achievable things like universal education, anti-child labour laws and a welfare system would, and went on to, keep children with their families wherever possible. It's really just chance someone was willing to fight to establish this hospital too. What if Thomas Coram never thought to do this? It's a heck of a thing for a wealthy nation to leave to fortune.
@@TheMuseumGuide There is a similar 'Orphanage' in Bristol, Muller Homes- really dour, forbidding buildings. I knew an older man who was a ''Muller boy''- it was a hard life, strict discipline.
Its terribly sad but also good to understand what happened. The really heartbreaking part is that these children were the lucky ones, some fell foul of certain unsavoury characters who abused the need for money and care for their children.
Thank you for covering this museum, Jessica.
Oddly, my brother and I rather benefitted from Coram too, albeit much later (1975). Our mother had finally decided to escape our violent father but, at that time (in Scotland), she could not be allocated a local authority home in her own right as she was already classed as suitably housed since our father held a tenancy. We opted for London and ended up in the care of the Salvation Army before moving to various homeless family units in the Kings Cross area. Coram’s Field was our happy place. Mum was often depressed, tired, angry so my brother and I spent hours there, every day (during the summer school holiday) and it took us away from the rather grim reality at the time. All ended well. We were housed in Hackney, a year later. My mother found work at the Geffrye Museum for a few years (approx 1976-1978). I think you worked there too, later. Funny world, at times, and strange that, in a different way, Captain Coram was still making kids feel a little better even in 1970s London. Cheers, Jessica❤️
I can look at all kinds of horrible relics in museums and historical places, but some of this stuff just really gets me. All those crushed dreams of being reunited some day, the way that even the 'kindness' shown to these kids was apparently so austere and devoid of affection... it's just nightmarish in a really relatable way.
It is a crushingly sad place.
I visited this museum two months ago. I was lucky enough to hear an introduction by a brilliant volunteer. Unfortunately, I don’t remember his name but he was so engaging and informative. He took us to see the Tracey Emin sculpture. I find it so apt and poignant.
I did go to the top floor to see the Handel exhibit. I love his music and knew of his connection with Coram and the Foundling Hospital. But I also knew Gerald Coke a little when I was a child. (Pronounced Cook btw, he’s related to the Coke’s of Norfolk, Holkham Hall and all that. But I digress). His amazing collection of Handel manuscripts was given to the museum. Gerald Coke was a governor of the public (in the British sense I.e. elite) boarding school I attended. Amongst other pupils, they also took children from difficult circumstances, if they gained a scholarship and passed an entrance exam. I was one of them. It’s a slight philanthropic link between Coram, Handel and Coke, but it’s a link. And a link with names. And the importance of your name. Before we started at the school, you had to go to an intimidating room in London to be interviewed by a panel of governors. Amazingly, after this one interview, Gerald Coke may not meet you in the school corridor until years later, but he always remembered your name and greeted you by it.
Wow, that is absolutely fascinating- thank you so much for this added insight! ❤️
My employer once booked this museum out as a venue for our staff Christmas party! They took efforts to be respectful but it was jarring in the extreme to have cocktails and canapés while surrounded by all this suffering and sadness. This video has reminded me I need to go and visit it properly.
Upstairs would be lovely!!!
But in the museum- a bit grim 😂
I visited this museum in 2019, just before Covid. It was an incredible experience. Especially seeing the works of Handel. The whole museum brought me to tears. It also filled me with great joy that all of these tragedies could be remembered and shown in such a strong light. It’s when we forget that these sorrows become a real tragedy.
My father was a foundling. His mother attempted to get him back a few months after surrendering him only to be told he had been adopted. He hadn't. He grew up in that home, often starving, subjected to abuse and cruelty that he carried his whole life. Thomas Coram had a heart but those who came after him did it for the money and the power.
How terribly sad for him, his mother, and for you. ❤ Did he reunite with his mother as an adult? How did he come to know his mother tried to get him back? Why would they tell her this?
That’s so devastating. 😢
What a lovely man Coram was. Thanks to him kids had a better life. {better than starving to death on the streets at any rate..}
God bless Thomas Coram for seeking to help so many orphans almost 300 years ago 🥲
Absolutely wonderful video as always! I knew about the foundling system (and museum) in the UK, but I didn't expect it to hit my heart so hard this evening. I teach grade 3 (8 year olds) in your home country of Canada -- the idea of any child going through all of this trauma has me weeping. A fair few our students don't have their parents in their life, being raised by relatives or the foster system, and one of them was crying the other day because a song reminded them of their mom who died last year from early onset dementia. I am so glad she has a supportive family, and school family, around her.
Thank you, Jessica. This one was indeed, heartbreaking.
You are very welcome.
A terribly sad, yet informative watch. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are very welcome.
As a primarily toddler childcare provider this is so heartbreaking.
Isn't it just?
We still have foundlings today so really nothing has changed in the 300 years since
Nothing has changed??? So much has changed! Yes, we still have foundlings, but SO many fewer!
Wonderful tour you really have the best channel out there i used to do guided tours of Coleridge cottage years ago. It's gone a bit too commercial now sadly. But my fave poet. Might i say the homeless children problem in London in 2024 is worse than ever ! So its ironic
I now know where "John Doe" came from. So many kids...
love your blogs so real love it.... thankyou
So glad!
Well done Jessica! America will be heading this way once again I fear.
I live in the next town from Dighton, MA. Next time I'm in London I will see this museum!
I found this so interesting. It gives a good insight into the sad lives of many children many from years ago. thank you so much for sharing.
You're very welcome
Had to smile....my midday meal is dinner, not lunch. Evening meal is tea, and supper just before bed,...😁😁
I wanted to make sure my American audience understood! ;) in my house growing up (in Canada with an Irish grandfather) we said, breakfast, lunch and supper.
@TheMuseumGuide So many different words for the same meals.
Thank you for your tours, they are all enjoyable, many thought provoking.
Thank you for another informative tour. As I live about a half hour from Deighton Ma I so want to delve deeper into Corams history there.
I wonder if there was ever a connection made between these poorhildren brought up with so many life changes at an early age and what may have happened to them in adulthood. I would think it would be hard to be kind and empathetic adults if you haven’t learned it in childhood. So sad.
On another subject I watched a video about the Wallace Collection recently and was wondering if you had been there. Maybe not your cup of tea but the video I watched was no where near as informative as yours always are.
I plan to go in 2025! I think Fragonard’s “The Swing” is there…
What a wonderful video, thanks, happy Thanksgiving to you and your family 😊
Thank you! I am Canadian, so my Thanksgiving was a month or so ago, but enjoy your turkey!
you say it so well as ... and you take dignity with it as well xxx big fan
Why would the hospital have changed the children's names? I don't understand the reasoning behind that.
Really great video as usual, Jessica. This was particularly sad, especially going into the holidays. I can't imagine how desperate you would have to be to leave your child there.
To cut the ties and prevent children from going to find their families when older.
@TheMuseumGuide OMG. So cruel!
It was all about monry
@@Squeazy999 How so? The parents certainly weren't paying. The policy of having to pay back the hospital was only in place for 10 years, let they continued changing the names.
First rate video. Touching.
Thank you!
Hey Jessica,
I hope you can see this but another RUclipsr I really like called Justin Scarred just put up a video on the Paris Catacombs!
I think you would like his channel because he is super into delving into history.
He’s even done some stuff on museums of all kinds. Mostly American.
I reckon a collab between you guys would be so cool!
Thanks! I’ll check him out.
@ I’m so excited you saw my recommendation! I really recommend his stuff on route 66, his trip from sea to sea, his visits to the monster museum and such. He really does his research and has some really cool interviews as well as connections.
His stuff is pretty eclectic but I think you’ll like most of it.
Thank you very much. God bless always Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸
🙏🏥🌎⚡️
You are so welcome
Appreciate the detailed breakdown! Just a quick off-topic question: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
I really wish I knew.
Hi Jessica, My boyfriend and I really loved your Tour By Foot street art/ graffiti videos! Any chance of you doing more of those on this channel?✌🏼
I have a Banksy one!
Wow, this is sounding like the women’s rights in America today. Makes me shiver. With no access to choosing the how and when of your family, this kind of poverty leads to the harm to women and children.
I visited this museum and couple of years ago
Did you enjoy it?
Hetty Feather by Jaquiline wilson tells a good story aimed at young people, about a girl in the foundling hospital
I do mention the books about 2/3 through the video!
There’s a Museum of the Home in London that I wanted to go to but wasn’t able to. Have you been there?
Yes, and I have a video on it! I also used to work there. I’ll find the link.
A Virtual Christmas Tour of The Museum of the Home (fka The Geffrye Museum) 2022
ruclips.net/video/KNymSEWp9iI/видео.html
So sad 😢
The residential schools in Canada seem to have been direct copies of this method of 'caring' for children. Religion, discipline, and absolutely no affection or compassion.
Absolutely.
Ouch regarding the mothers having today the costs.... That's so sad. Awful.
Truly awful!
@@TheMuseumGuide How many woman would have been able to have paid the care for their children - probably amounting to what would be the equivalent of thousands of pounds in today's money.
Had the woman ''met a wealthy man'' {unlikely} he wouldn't be wanting to pay for the release of another man's child.
I agree- it is a terribly sad museum. The squashed silver thimble was the one that upset me.
The hazelnut was also very poignant.
❤
us british of working class backgrounds still call the mid day meal dinner
In some parts of the country, yes! Not usually in the south east, where I have always lived.
History against women was shocking, to this day they are blamed for unwanted babies, where in hell were the men it takes 2 people to make a baby? This continues today women arent recognised for anything good always bad, i think its about time Men took more rresponsibly.this is a very sad stories for the women and the children,when i think of it history really hasnt changed, foster care, adoptions,single mothers homeless all around the world.
It's not terribly sad - and hardly the saddest. It helped children who might have otherwise died of neglect and starvation. That's about as happy an ending as you could get back then, especially in England.
It’s not terribly sad that mothers had to give up their babies because there was no support to keep them, all the while hoping to be reunited one day even after their child’s name was changed? It’s not terribly sad that the children grew up with no affection?
Which museum in London is sadder?
It's good that the foundling hospital filled a need but it's really sad that need existed in the first place. Very achievable things like universal education, anti-child labour laws and a welfare system would, and went on to, keep children with their families wherever possible.
It's really just chance someone was willing to fight to establish this hospital too. What if Thomas Coram never thought to do this? It's a heck of a thing for a wealthy nation to leave to fortune.
@@TheMuseumGuide There is a similar 'Orphanage' in Bristol, Muller Homes- really dour, forbidding buildings. I knew an older man who was a ''Muller boy''- it was a hard life, strict discipline.
Its terribly sad but also good to understand what happened. The really heartbreaking part is that these children were the lucky ones, some fell foul of certain unsavoury characters who abused the need for money and care for their children.
Why would they rename the children?
To cut the ties and prevent children from trying to find their families when older.
People still change adopted children’s names today. 😢
They could have a least keep the child's name.
I agree.
Had to stop watching this about halfway through. It's too much for us. :(
It’s hard to hear, isn’t it? :(
Skip the woke and stuffy nose commentary by going to 3:52
Oh, it’s woke the whole way through!