2024; Progress and Challenges
As the end of another year approaches, it is time to reflect on progress made in the last 18 months, as well as the challenges of the future. In August 2023, we returned to our pre-Covid open hours leading to a 44% year-on-year increase in visitors. With the subsequent increase in admissions as well as strengthened shop sales, grants, private hire, and events, the overall 2023-24 income of £208,197 was also almost twice that of the previous year and
provided a small net gain of £9,146. We are delighted to report that to date 2024-25 continues to show progress. Income generated April-Sept reflected an increase of 31% on the same period last year and visitor numbers were up by 8%.
While this is welcome and the effort to achieve it applauded, we must remember that, as with many of our culture sector colleagues, we are still recovering from the pandemic and face many challenges. Current visitor numbers are still 30% less than 2019 and, while a budget surplus is welcome, 17 Gough Square is an old building and requires continual investment. Just the fourth quarter 2024, for example, significant issues were discovered with the electrics, the boiler, and the roof of the Curator’s Cottage that will require over £50,000 in unforeseen repairs.
That being said, prior to Covid visitor numbers and learning visits had more than doubled and charitable funding had allowed us to do essential maintenance on the façade, proving that we have potential and can leverage private support to make meaningful change. Our Board are now taking firm steps to regain this momentum and ensure a future that is more accessible, impactful, and financially resilient.
Important first steps have been taken: the completion of a new business plan and strategic review have resulted in both short- and long-term plans to guide us as we seek to expand and diversify audiences and our income generation activities. This has led to, amongst other things, the appointment of our first dedicated marketing staff. Eco and access audits and an architectural feasibility study have also identified how we can make the visitor experience better and more accessible through a refurbishment of the House and complete reconfiguration of the basement to provide additional heritage space. We are also in the midst of a learning review that will guide the development of this essential programme and contribute to the formation of mutually beneficial partnerships with organisations in and around the City and beyond. Additionally, we are in the process of developing materials which will enable us to better serve those who experience accessibility challenges as well as new digital content.
We look forward to a strong future and welcome your interest in our activities.
Dr Johnson's House Welcomes New Board Member
William Washington Welch is an accomplished senior consultant with a collaborative leadership style, boasting over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. William’s career began at Richer Sounds, where he managed the London Bridge flagship store during a period of exceptional growth, establishing the record for highest sales per square foot of any retail outlet in the world, a record still current in 2023 according to the Guinness Book of Records.
He later founded his own company before becoming the head of the consulting department at Ernst and Young in Kingston, Jamaica, where he led complex consultancy assignments focused on improving the competitiveness of local and international businesses.
His expertise lies in providing market insights, marketing and offering advice to businesses in areas of growth, capacity building and strategic management. As a Consultant with City Bridge Trust, William also conducted a situational analysis and action plan for the House which is been critical to preparation for the future. We are delighted to now have his guidance at Board level for the future.
Enhancing Capacity to Support our Future
As some of you may be aware, Dr Johnson’s House Trust is a small, independent charity with a very small staff. In fact, until very recently, the House was completely run
by a staff of 1.4 full-time equivalent, whereas comparator organisations have teams of 12-15.
In order to provide additional capacity as we prepare to refurbish and reinterpret the House and enhance learning and public programmes, and through the generosity of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, in 2023 we were able to engage two new members of staff for 24 months. In July of 2024, through internal investment, we were also delighted to welcome two
new members of staff who will share the job of Marketing and Commercial Manager.
Monica Law has over 20 years’ experience of developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns in the higher education and heritage sectors as well as delivering a range of events and managing membership and patron schemes. Alice Rosenbaum has extensive experience managing websites, social media channels, and online advertising. Together, they played a pivotal role in building the Freud’s popular online events programme.
We are delighted to report that they have already had a significant impact by rolling out a new events calendar and skyrocketing social media engagement, which has
led to increased visitor numbers.
Also joining us through the generosity of the City of London’s Creative and Culture Learning Fund is Alice Kirk. Alice has over 16 years of experience working across education, arts, heritage and culture. Most recently she held the position of Head of Learning and Inclusion at the British Museum and was previously Lead for Arts, Culture and Sport at Coventry City Council, during City of Culture and Commonwealth Games. Alice is undertaking a review of the current education and engagement programmes at Dr Johnson’s House which will result in strategic guidance to underpin our plans to live up to our potential to educate, engage, and entertain.
Visitor Experience and Perception Research Commences
Dr Johnson's House is embarking on major plans to re-envision itself for a new, more diverse, and larger audience both within the House and online. Understanding who our audiences are is key to these efforts and to helping us re-envision our interpretation policies; devise relevant engagement, events and exhibition programmes; and to gain insights into the potential for funding / support.
We want to know who our current visitor are, where they heard about us, why they visit, and how we can improve their experience. Crucially, we want gain a greater insight into how our visitors wish us to tell the rich stories of those who once dwelled in17 Gough Square in a meaningful and inclusive way.
Assisting us in this endeavour will be students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Massachusetts USA. WPI is a STEM-focused university founded to create and convey the latest science and engineering knowledge in ways that are most beneficial to society.
WPI is the global leader in project-based learning. Since 1987 WPI London has conducted more than 450 student research programmes. Our project commences in January 2025. If you would like to be consulted as part of this process, please just get in touch!
Rejuvinated Events Programme
Prior to the pandemic, our small team ran a truly remarkable number and variety of events every year. With the addition of new staff to assist with all aspects of running the House, we were delighted to renew this practice with events such as these over the holiday season:
• Samuel Johnson at the Theatre* with Robert Whelan, archivist of the Haymarket Theatre and editor of The Wildean, the journal of the Oscar Wilde Society
• A History of Gin: From Paupers' Prop to Stylish Sophistication with polymath and raconteur Dr Steven Parissien.
• Stream of Consciousness* with Lester Hillman. An exploration of the watery network that transformed transport during the late 18th - century world of Johnson
• Family Fun Mornings throughout the House Why not join us for one of these future events?
• Museum Lates at Dr Johnson's House to enjoy an after work glass of fizz while enjoying our special ambience
• London's Libertine Women: Sex and the City with Dr. Julie Peakman, historian of eighteenth-century culture and an expert in the history of sexuality, erotica and pornography.
• Bluestockings: The First Women’s Movement with author Susannah Gibson.
*Sponsored by the Fleet St Quarter BID
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Befriend a Book
Our collection includes over 1,000 books by or relating to Johnson and some of them are in great need of attention. We are seeking to raise a total of nearly £10,000 to fund the professional conservation of twenty 16th , 17th , and 18th -century books that have been identified by our Curator as being in urgent need of care. So far, we have raised £2,500 towards our total and any additional sums would be gratefully received.
Help with Emergency Repairs
Old buildings occasionally require emergency repairs and Dr Johson’s House is no exception. Within the next six months, we will need to close for a month in order to rewire the building as our electric infrastructure has become obsolete and dysfunctional. At the same time, our boiler has broken down causing several leaks, and the roof on the Grade II-listed Curator’s Cottage requires urgent repair. Any and all contribution to what will be over £100,000 of unforeseen maintenance expenditure, no matter how small, would be much appreciated. Simply use this link or contact us at the House to help with these important projects.
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