Established in 1739 as a home for abandoned children, the Foundling Hospital became a cultural melting pot and London’s first public art gallery. Now the Foundling Museum houses a remarkable collection of art, period interiors and social history (including works donated by Hogarth and Reynolds), memorabilia from the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, and items relating to the 27,000 children who passed through the Foundling Hospital’s doors.