In 1875, Octavia Hill along with her sister Miranda, who had been working tirelessly to reform the poor laws in London, formed the Kryle Society which was intended to preserve open spaces and bring beauty to the poor. The Society decorated the walls of hospitals, schools and other institutions in working-class neighborhoods with art.
Today, bringing beauty to the poor rather than food, shelter and support would not be a priority, but the philanthropists of the Victorian age were more insulated and couldn't relate to or understand the living conditions of the poor. The Kryle Society certainly meant well.
The open space program turned out to be a good thing. It saved heath and woodland from development and gave all Londoners safe places for leisure.
