Foundling Hospital Gateway

The gateway is one of the few forecourt buildings to survive from the original Foundling Hospital, established by Thomas Coram in 1739 to care for ‘foundling’ babies, born to poor or unmarried mothers. Thomas Coram intended that they be rescued from neglect or death and educated to create ‘useful’ citizens. Mothers leaving their babies at the Foundling Hospital would also leave a small object as a means of identification and in the hope was that they would one day be able to reclaim their child. King George II signed the Foundling Hospital Charter in October 1739 which Thomas Coram presented to the Duke of Bedford, the Hospital’s first President. The Hospital was built in 1742, and gateway appears in illustrations from the 1750s. It is classical in style with has Doric columns, entablature, blocking course and round-arched alcoves to north and south elevations. The railings to each side are earlier 20th century, attached to Porters' lodges.

In 1926 the Hospital moved to Redhill and then to Berkhamsted. Only the forecourt buildings were retained and a commemorative plaque was installed to mark the site’s transformation. The statue of Thomas Coram was removed during redevelopment and the site was renamed Coram’s Fields as it was converted to playing fields and gardens. Today Coram’s Fields is a charity that provides services to young people including a youth club, nursery school, playgrounds, drop ins for children as well as a park and green spaces.

The gateway structure is in moderate condition but has general weathering and soiling to all surfaces, the stone has suffered significant erosion and is cracked in some areas. Previous cement repairs have failed. There are holes on the front base where railings were set into the stone originally and the columns have cracks running through them at multiple locations. In the front alcove, there is a commemorative plaque which has a small hole in it. Restoration will include repairs, cleaning and poultices to remove staining.