King Edward VII Jewish Memorial Drinking Fountain facts for kids
The King Edward VII Jewish Memorial Drinking Fountain is a special drinking fountain located on Whitechapel Road in the East End of London. It was built to remember Edward VII, who was the King of the United Kingdom.
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Remembering King Edward VII
This fountain was created using money donated by Jewish people living in East London. A writer named Annie Gertrude Landa first thought of the idea for this memorial. It was officially opened on March 15, 1912, by Charles Rothschild. The beautiful statues on the fountain were made by a sculptor named William Silver Frith.
What the Fountain Looks Like
The fountain is made from white stone. It has a tall, square pillar in the middle that gets narrower towards the top. On top of this pillar sits a bronze angel. Around the pillar, you can see other bronze figures. These include the Angel of Peace, the Angel of Liberty, and a figure representing Justice. There are also small angel-like figures called cherubs.
Special Symbols and Meanings
Each cherub on the fountain holds an object that was important to the Jewish community at that time.
- One cherub holds a ship. This reminds us that many Jewish people in the area were new immigrants who had arrived by ship.
- Another cherub holds a needle and thread. This represents the clothing industry, which was a major employer for the Jewish community in the East End until the 1970s.
- A book is held by another cherub. This shows how important education was to the community. They valued both local schools and places where they studied religious texts.
- Finally, a cherub holds a car. This symbolizes the new, faster pace of life and how London was changing from horse-drawn carts to modern vehicles.
On another side of the pillar, there is a detailed picture of King Edward VII. He is shown wearing the Order of the Garter, a special award.
A Protected Landmark
The King Edward VII Jewish Memorial Drinking Fountain is considered a very important historical building. In September 1973, it was officially listed as a Grade II building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it is protected and its history is valued.
Michael McNay, who wrote a book called Hidden Treasures of London, said that the fountain fits perfectly into the diverse community of Whitechapel today.
An Incident at the Fountain
In August 2015, the memorial was sadly vandalized with food. The local council, Tower Hamlets Council, quickly sent workers to clean it up.
