THE NATIONAL TRUST IS FOUNDED IN THE UK IN 1895

Today, The Grandma has been reading about the National Trust, the heritage and nature conservation charity and membership organisation in the United Kingdom that promotes the permanent preservation of lands and tenements of beauty or historic interest.

The National Trust is a heritage and nature conservation charity and membership organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The National Trust, in Welsh Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol, was founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley to promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest. It has since been given statutory powers, starting with the National Trust Act 1907.

Historically, the Trust acquired land by gift and sometimes by public subscription and appeal, but after World War II the loss of country houses resulted in many such properties being acquired either by gift from the former owners or through the National Land Fund.

One of the largest landowners in the United Kingdom, the Trust owns almost 250,000 hectares of land and 1,260 km of coast. Its properties include more than 500 historic houses, castles, archaeological and industrial monuments, gardens, parks, and nature reserves. Most properties are open to the public for a charge (members have free entry), while open spaces are free to all.  

The Trust has an annual income of over £680 million, largely from membership subscriptions, donations and legacies, direct property income, profits from its shops and restaurants, and investments. It also receives grants from a variety of organisations including other charities, government departments, local authorities, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Trust was incorporated on 12 January 1895 as the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, which is still the organisation's legal name. The founders were social reformer Octavia Hill, solicitor Sir Robert Hunter and clergyman Hardwicke Rawnsley.

In 1876, Hill, together with her sister Miranda Hill, had set up a society to diffuse a love of beautiful things among our poor brethren. Named after John Kyrle, the Kyrle Society campaigned for open spaces for the recreational use of urban dwellers, as well as having decorative, musical, and literary branches. Hunter had been solicitor to the Commons Preservation Society, while Rawnsley had campaigned for the protection of the Lake District. The idea of a company with the power to acquire and hold buildings and land had been mooted by Hunter in 1894.

In July 1894, a provisional council, headed by Hill, Hunter, Rawnsley and the Duke of Westminster met at Grosvenor House and decided that the company should be named the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. Articles of association were submitted to the Board of Trade and on 12 January 1895, the Trust was registered under the Companies Act. Its purpose was to promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest.

The trust is an independent charity (no. 205846). It was founded as a not-for-profit company in 1895, but was later re-incorporated by a local act of Parliament, the National Trust Act 1907 (7 Edw. 7. c. cxxxvi). Subsequent acts of Parliament between 1919 and 1971 amended and extended the trust's powers and remit. The governance of the trust was amended by the Charities (National Trust) Order 2005 (SI 2005/712).

More information: The National Trust

 My heritage and my culture and where I'm from
mean the most to me, more than anything.

Patty Mills