Subject

Erected by Archbishop John Whitgift, after he had petitioned and received permission from Queen Elizabeth I to establish a hospital and school in Croydon. The premises provided accommodation for between 28 and 40 people, and included a nearby schoolhouse and schoolmaster's house. In 1923 the almshouses were threatened with destruction by various reconstruction plans and road-widening schemes, but were saved by intervention of the House of Lords. On 22nd of March each year, the laying of the foundation stone is commemorated as Founder's Day.