When I first started as the V&A’s Legacies Manager just over a year ago, I quickly became aware of how lucky I was to be in this role. Every day I discover something new about the Museum – from the rare and often unique objects that are left to us, to the fascinating stories of the individuals that have generously left a lasting legacy for us, the public, to enjoy.
Through this blog series, my hope is to share some of the stories I come across and encourage others to share their stories with me.
Earlier this year, I discovered the story of Fred Rowley. Fred was a much-loved volunteer at the Museum who led tours and helped visitors at the information desk for over 20 years. He had a real passion for architecture, and loved to document projects in the Museum from start to finish. When Fred died in 2012, he very kindly remembered the V&A in his Will, leaving £1,000 to the Museum.
Fred’s legacy has now been allocated towards the Wolsey Angels and we have paid tribute to him in the latest Annual Review. I know it will mean a lot to many people that Fred’s legacy will live on through the Wolsey Angels, knowing he will have helped save them for the nation – there is something very inspiring about that, knowing that what Fred did is something that any of us can do too, no matter the size of the gift.
It is for this reason that the V&A has joined the Remember a Charity campaign. We have a scheduled legacy event this Monday 8 September to mark the beginning of the Remember a Charity (or the V&A!) in your Will week. The event will focus on the Morris bequest: objects, designs and drawings by William Morris, a collection left to the Museum by Morris’ daughter, Mary ‘May’ Morris. We will be running the event again in February 2015, as well as other legacy events throughout the year focusing on other interesting bequests across the diverse collections.
If you would like to come along and learn about a V&A bequest, or to share your own story about a fascinating bequest you know of in the V&A’s collections, or even if you have any questions you would like to ask me informally, you can always contact me directly at legacy@vam.ac.uk or on +44(0)20 7942 2716 for more information.
You can also find out more information on leaving a gift in your Will to the V&A here.
Dear Susan
I am Fred’s son, Mark Rowley, and I just wanted to send a short message to thank you for writing about Dad’s legacy to the V&A. As I think you know the museum was a very special place for him and gave real meaning in his life. Indeed in his last months his principal motivation to get better was so that he could get back to his beloved V&A and resume volunteer guiding. Sadly this was not to be, but I know that Dad would have been delighted to think that his modest legacy would be highlighted in this way.
Unfortunately I will not be able to make tomorrow’s event, but hopefully can attend in February next year. I do though wish you all the best for the campaign.
Kind regards
Mark Rowley
Dear Mark,
Thank you so much for your very kind comments – we are so pleased you think this is a fitting tribute to your Dad.
We will post more information about the February event nearer the time, but you are more than welcome to come in to see the Angels and join us for a coffee at any time.
I will be in touch soon.
With very best wishes,
Susan