Leicester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Portland and Hawthorn Buildings
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 12, 2018
1. Portland and Hawthorn Buildings Marker
Portland and Hawthorn Buildings
The original purpose of the Hawthorn Building is shown on its entrance doors opposite Trinity House. The four panels by Percy Brown depicting art and design tool and equipment indicate the building was once the Leicester Municipal Technical and Art School, established in 1897. The school arose from a desire to raise the standard of industrial and commercial design in important manufacturing towns.
A good technical education
Generations of Leicester people attended classes here as part of their apprenticeship. In 1929 the School became Leicester College of Arts and Crafts and Leicester College of Technology. The College of Art taught architecture, crafts, printing, design and art whilst the College of Technology offered footwear and textile manufacture, sciences, office management and a variety of food trades. The emphasis was on vocational skills and employability.
The Portland Shoe Company
Now part of De Montfort University, the Portland Building was originally built in 1888 for Portland Shoes, which began life as T. Roberts & Sons. It was one of the many boot and shoe factories across the city until the 1970s. A fire gutted the building in 1908 and it was rebuilt in 1909 to its
this page online
It is fitting that a Victorian technical and art school an a former shoe factory are still used today by a University that trains the shoe and fashion designers of the future.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education.
Location. 52° 37.853′ N, 1° 8.409′ W. Marker is in Leicester, England. Marker is at the intersection of The Gateway and The Newarke, on the right when traveling north on The Gateway. Located next to the Hawthorn Building on the campus of De Montfort University. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leicester, England LE2 7GZ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. This Stone (a few steps from this marker); Church of the Annunciation (within shouting distance of this marker); Municipal Technical & Art Schools (within shouting distance of this marker); The Collegiate Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whipping Toms (within shouting distance of this marker); Chantry House and Skeffington House (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Visit of the Queen (about 150 meters away); Newarke Gateway (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leicester.
Also see . . . De Montfort University
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 12, 2018
2. Portland and Hawthorn Buildings Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 12, 2018
3. Portland and Hawthorn Buildings Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
