Foundling Hospital Museum Launches Campaign to Restore Women's History

The Foundling Hospital Museum in London, established in 1735 as the UK's first home for abandoned children, has long overlooked the role of women in its founding and operation. While portraits of male directors line its gallery, the 21 women who petitioned for the hospital's creation remain unacknowledged. Now, under new director Caro Howell, formerly of the Whitechapel Gallery, the museum is pivoting to correct this erasure. A forthcoming exhibition, 'The Ladies of Quality and Distinction,' opening in September, will replace the directors' portraits with those of the 21 founding women. Researchers face challenges finding reliable images of these women, contrasting with the famous artists—William Hogarth, Allan Ramsay, Sir Joshua Reynolds—who painted the directors. To fund the show, the museum launched a public campaign in late January seeking £20,000, offering rewards like tote bags, limited edition prints, exclusive events, and curator-led tours.