Tokens of History

Today we time travel with two historians, David Coke and Gillian Clark. Presented by Kathleen Palmer, former Curator of Exhibitions and Displays at London’s Foundling Museum. Written and produced by Minnie Scott with Louis Mealing. Music by Ben Jacob. Audio production by Will Jacob. Music: George Frideric Handel, Organ Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2, HWV 290 - Allegro, featured on 'Handel at Vauxhall' released by Signum Classics. Interviewees: David Coke, curator and historian, and author of Vauxhall Gardens: A History (Yale University Press, 2011), together with Dr. Alan Borg. View the token David chose here. Gillian Clark, an independent researcher who has worked closely with the Foundling Museum for many years. View the token Gillian chose here. –– The tokens are your passport to Georgian London in our online exhibition, Tokens of History. Discover different facets of eighteenth-century society, guided by nine historians, including Gillian Clark who you heard in this week’s episode. –– You can see David and Gillian’s tokens, along with many others, on display at the Foundling Museum 40 Brunswick Square London, WC1N 1AZ  Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm Sunday 11am – 5pm Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Sign up to our newsletter Take this Token and Tokens of History are supported by the Woven Foundation, previously the Artisa Foundation, and the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation.

Om Podcasten

How can such tiny objects hold so much meaning? Hear personal stories, historical insights and creative responses – all inspired by the Foundling tokens. The Founding Hospital was one of Britain's first children's homes established in London in 1739. In its early days, anyone giving a baby into its care would also leave a token. These precious, emotionally-charged objects are on display today at the Foundling Museum in London. We talk to people with a connection to the Museum who take one token and share what they know, what they feel and what they imagine.