All Contributions from David Charnick

Local tour guide and sessional tutor teaching East End tour guiding through Tower Hamlets Idea Store Learning.

A Visit to a Ragged School - 1859

Nagpal House, site of George Yard Ragged School | David Charnick

A contributor to the East London Observer of 2 July 1859 - submitting under the name of A Christian - reported an impromptu vis…

Whitechapel Station

Whitechapel Station | David Charnick

Whitechapel station is actually two stations, one above the other. The original, nowadays the Overground platforms, opened in 1876 when …

Now Demolished

10-14 Dock Street | David Charnick

I was in Dock Street this morning (25 August) leading a tour. I can confirm that this building has now been demolished. I didn't think t…

A Friendly Place

Wombat's City Hostel, 7 Dock Street | David Charnick

In his Notes on Life and Letters of 1921, the author and former merchant seaman Joseph Conrad reflects on his experiences of th…

The Working Lads' Institute

Former Working Lads' Institute | David Charnick

The Working Lads’ Institute was founded in 1878 by a city merchant called Henry Hill. It was one of many nineteenth-century initiatives …

Elizabeth Stride's Last Drink?

34 Settles Street | David Charnick

The former Bricklayers' Arms. Until some time in the 1880s the address was given as 20 Gloucester Street. As it was not marked on Ordnan…

The Danish Consulate

Shapla Primary School | David Charnick

To supply the major rebuilding campaign following the Great Fire of London in September 1666, timber was imported from the great pine fo…


20-21 Wellclose Square, Danish Consulate

Shapla Primary School | David Charnick

The Danish consulate (r) was established by Georg Wolff at his business address, 20-21 Wellclose Square. A timber merchant, Wolff became co…

Royal Brunswick Theatre (Front Elevation)

Wombat's City Hostel, 7 Dock Street | David Charnick

This is the Royal Brunswick Theatre, which collapsed during a performance shortly after opening in 1828. On its site was erected the Brunsw…

1896 - George Yard Mission

87 Whitechapel High Street | David Charnick

This is the Whitechapel High Street frontage of the George Yard Mission and Ragged School as depicted in Henry Walker's 'East London: Sketc…

1896 - Dock Street Frontage of the Sailors' Home

Wombat's City Hostel, 7 Dock Street | David Charnick

This is the Dock Street frontage to the Sailors' Home (formerly Brunswick Maritime Establishment) as featured in Henry Walker's East London…