Plaque

Wash-house foundation stone

Erection date: 1892

Inscription

Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses
The united parishes of St Margaret and St John the Evangelist adopted the Act of 1846 on the 8th Jany. 1847 and purchased this freehold site and erected the former building thereon. These baths and wash-houses were rebuilt AD 1892 upon an enlarged site.
Commissioners
Z. A. Berry
G. F. Danielli
James Gibson
H. O. Hamborg
W. L. Josephs
C. C. Piper
G. W. Tallents
F. J. Smith FRIBA - Architect
Stimpson & Co - Builders
J. C. F. Warrington Rogers - Clerk

This stone was laid by C. C. Piper

Seems likely that the F. J. Smith is the same architect as the one who built Caxton Hall with William Lee.

Andrew Behan has researched some of these names and points out that in the same year that these baths were rebuilt Commissioner Danielli was initiated into Commissioner Berry's Masonic Lodge, which had been co-founded by Commissioner Gibson, a few years previously.

Site: Wash-house foundation stone (1 memorial)

SW1, Great Smith Street, Westminster Archives Centre

The foundation stone is immediately to the right of the entrance.

The second floor bay window has some lovely relief work by Henry Poole showing swimmers - naked classical Greek young men. Ornamental Passions has good photos of these. Bas relief is not the ideal medium for showing bodies underwater.

In the 1990s the baths were replaced with the Westminster Archives Centre, a community centre and meeting space called the Abbey Centre. Historic England has an 1893 photograph.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Wash-house foundation stone

Subjects commemorated i

William Lee and F. J. Smith

Architects active in 1882.

Read More

Stimpson & Co

Builders of the 1892 Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses.  

Read More

Z. A. Berry

A Commissioner for the 1892 Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses.  Geni h...

Read More

G. F. Danielli

A Commissioner for the 1892 Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses. Andrew...

Read More

James Gibson

A Commissioner for the 1892 Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses. Andrew...

Read More

Show all 10

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Wash-house foundation stone

Created by i

Charles Christmas Piper

A Commissioner for the 1892 Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses.  1889 c...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

William Wilberforce - SW1

William Wilberforce - SW1

SW1, Cadogan Place, 44

William Wilberforce, 1759 - 1833, opponent of slavery, died here. London County Council

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Lawrence Hall - Viscountess Lascelles

Lawrence Hall - Viscountess Lascelles

SW1, Greycoat Street

The Lascelles plaque is to the right of the central door, Lambourne to the left. Built 1928, architect: John Murray Easton.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Officers' Quarters

Officers' Quarters

SE8, Grove Street, The Colonnade

Our photo is taken from the east. In the background you can see the inside of the retained arched stone entrance to The Colonnade from G...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Matthew Arnold

Matthew Arnold

SW1, Chester Square, 2

London County Council Matthew Arnold, 1822 - 1888, poet and critic, lived here.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Westminster Council House - foundation stone

Westminster Council House - foundation stone

NW1, Marylebone Road, Westminster Council House

This building was opened by HRH The Prince Albert KG on the 27th day of March 1920. Alderman Duncan Watson, JP, MIEE - Mayor Alderman Joh...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators