LJMU to rename building after city icon

LJMU is to rename one of its main buildings after an icon of the city who is celebrated as ‘the Saint of the Slums’.

Upon completion of the current redevelopment of the Henry Cotton Building on Trueman Street, the university will rename it as the Kitty Wilkinson Building.

An Irish immigrant to Liverpool in the 18th century, Kitty is revered as the founder of the public washhouse and a pioneer in public hygiene.

Her actions in opening up her home to allow poor people to use her boiler to wash their clothes and bedding during a cholera epidemic in the 1830s saved countless lives in Liverpool and marked a crucial development in public health.

Kitty’s legacy has been honoured across the city; she is the only woman to have a statue in St George’s Hall, she is depicted on a stained-glass window in Liverpool Cathedral’s Lady Chapel, while Kitty’s Launderette is named in her honour.

Kitty made a huge contribution to the city of Liverpool. Her proud legacy of helping people perfectly fits with our values at LJMU – being inclusive, the importance of community and supporting one another. She had a significant positive impact on public health and behaviour change in the city and beyond.

Professor Paul Townsend, LJMU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Health, Innovation, Technology and Science

Playwright and actor Dr John Maguire studied for his PhD at LJMU and staged the play Kitty: Queen of the Washhouse. He said: “In her lifetime, she was never recognised for being the great community champion that she was. She did receive a teapot from Queen Victoria but I’m sure she would have pawned that teapot to be able to give somebody a meal."

Professor Gillian O’Brien, Professor of Public History at LJMU, said: “Kitty had a huge impact on her community because she helped to stem the spread of cholera but her inspiration lasts for generations afterwards through the idea of the public washhouse and the ability for people to clean their clothes and have access to clean water which is vital.

“Despite the background that she comes from, she is remembered and I think that’s very important.” 

“Unity in community is what Kitty stood for and we all need to be a bit more Kitty.”

Playwright and actor Dr John Maguire

Acknowledgements

The excerpt in the video from the theatrical trailer for Kitty: Queen of the Washhouse is reproduced courtesy of Avengers Media and Artsgroupie. Kitty is played by Samantha Alton.

About the redevelopment of the building

LJMU is currently delivering a major transformation of what will be known as the Kitty Wilkinson Building.

The extensive refurbishment and remodelling is decarbonising the building, providing flexible, modern new facilities for students and staff, and creating a bright, attractive look and feel.

The redevelopment works are scheduled to be completed by July 2027 when the remodelled building will be home to programmes from the Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science.