The Boatman'S Institute

The Boatman's Institute, later converted into a house, was built in 1904 by Noel Parr for The London City Mission. It is an example of the Arts and Crafts style. Originally comprising two schoolrooms on the ground floor with living accommodation above, it provided basic education and religious instruction for the children of boatmen, and also maternity provision for boatmen's wives until the establishment of the National Health Service. There are believed to be only five or six similar boatmen’s institutes surviving nationally.

The building is constructed of brick and pebbledash, with red brick quoins and a pantiled roof. It features two brick chimneystacks and an irregular fenestration pattern. The first floor includes a large wooden window, modelled on Sparrowe’s House in Ipswich. This triple window, supported on four moulded wooden brackets, was replaced in the late 20th century with a replica. Above this window is a curved gable bearing the date 1904 and the words "BOATMAN'S INSTITUTE," flanked by two tall, narrow windows with glazing bars to the upper half and a central division below. The tall ground floor accommodates the height of the schoolrooms, culminating in a continuous eight-light window. A projecting, battered porch with a wide entrance is centrally positioned, flanked by two triple windows. To the left is a cambered casement window, and to the right, a cambered doorcase. A series of small tablets, recognising benefactors including the architect’s wife, are located beneath the ground floor windows. The rear elevation presents a stock brick ground floor and a pebbledashed first floor, with red brick quoins and a band between floors. Three 12-pane sashes are visible on the first floor, and a late 20th century brick extension is present on the ground floor.

Inside, the ground floor retains an original folding wooden and glazed screen which separates the larger and smaller schoolrooms. The original wooden dogleg staircase features stick balusters and urn finials to the newel posts. Several good quality metal Art Nouveau firegrates remain, along with original four-panelled doors.