Catalogue description ADA LEWIS GOVERNESSES HOMES

These records are useful for researching the activities of the trust fund and investments set up after the settlement of Ada Lewis-Hill's bequest, and the management and maintenance of the residential homes erected in 1924.

The records comprise the following series:

LMA/4459/F/01 Minutes

LMA/4459/F/02 Investment ledgers

LMA/4459/F/03 Cash books

LMA/4459/F/04 Journals

THESE RECORDS ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION, ALTHOUGH RECORDS CONTAINING PERSONAL INFORMATION MAY BE SUBJECT TO CLOSURE PERIODS

In 1908, Mrs Ada Lewis-Hill bequeathed half of her estate to the Institution for building a governesses home. It was not until 1917 that the Institution began to invest the Funds for this purpose because of delays caused by the settlement of the will and consultation over the administration of a new trust fund. In 1917, a scheme was set up to invest the funds for this purpose and in 1924, 'The Ada Lewis Governesses Homes' were opened at Beckenham in Kent. The scheme's trustees continued to meet following the opening to oversee the maintenance of the homes, the investment scheme, and the conversion of some of the homes to flats after the War. The homes were vacated in August 1967 following the transfer of residents to the newly opened Queen Mary House in Chislehurst. The homes were sold in 1967 and the Ada Lewis Fund bank account was closed. The Ada Lewis Governesses Homes' Charity was founded and was administered centrally by the Institution. The last meeting of the trustees of Ada Lewis Governesses Homes was in November 1967.

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