Martin Fidler and Andrew Stuck will lead participants around the streets surrounding the Geffrye Museum using different analytical topics that John Ruskin would have used to explore local housing in its social and historical context. The walk will include visits to premises making furniture and serving hot drinks before taking part in a workshop in the Geffrye museum studios.

Martin Fidler writes: “Our visit to the streets and houses around the Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch are the setting for this year’s special event marking the birthday of John Ruskin.

Shoreditch was home for people who had to live outside the control of the city of London. This unique place has been a shelter for the displaced and homeless, the adventurous, lost, and, wreck-less. In 1714 The Geffrye Museum was originally alms houses built to accomodate the poor and needy. Two hundred years later the museum was established in 1914 to chart the development of the home and its furnishings.

During our Ruskin walk from the Geffrye Museum we will discover the contemporary and historical use of housing where people have made their homes and sheltered from times changing circumstances. John Ruskin’s interest in buildings, stones, geology, and, philanthropy will form part of our ramble and exploration before returning to the museum’s studio to take part in an experimental ‘makery’ workshop based upon the museum’s collection and our findings from our journey.

The cold and damp during last year’s anniversary walk on Ruskin’s birthday was held at bay by fortifying hot drinks. We hope a visit to the furniture factory ‘Unto This Last’ or quirky curio ‘A Portuguese Love Affair’ on our travels will provide us with a warming brew. At this time of year the fingers will not be perhaps be so resolute in recording or writing as observation and reflection may prove enough to unite head, hand and heart.“

Price £25 for a 3 hour event starting from (and finishing at) the Geffrye Museum