The Geffrye Almshouses in Shoreditch, London, were built in 1714 by the Ironmongers Company with a bequest left by Sir Robert Geffrye. He was twice master of the Company and a former Lord Mayor of London. For nearly two hundred years the almshouses provided homes for about fifty poor pensioners. In the early 1900s the buildings and site were bought by the London County Council who wanted the land for a public open space in this densely populated area of the city. However, they were persuaded to develop it as a museum and it continues to be one today - The Geffrye Museum of the Home - describing Britain's homes from 1600 to the present day. It also has a restored almshouse, gallery, cafe and herb garden, as well as the extensive lawns and trees before the imposing three sided facade.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Sony DSC-RX100
