Set up as a charity in 1977 as part of a campaign by a group of architects, architectural historians and journalists to save the early Georgian buildings of Spitalfields, The Spitalfields Trust is still based there today. More recently, the Trust has expanded its geographical reach to rescue and preserve historic buildings in Kent and Wales.

The Trust is the guardian of several important historic buildings: Dennis Severs House, 19 Princelet Street, and Charing Archbishop’s Palace. Dennis Severs House is open to the public for tours and events and is an incredibly atmospheric imagining of a Huguenot house. 19 Princelet Street is a Huguenot merchant’s house, which also contains a 19th century synagogue. Charing Archbishop’s Palace is a scheduled monument in the village of Charing in Kent, which was once home to Archbishops of Canterbury.

Historically, the Trust has saved buildings that are at risk of demolition or harm, repairing them so that they can be taken on by sympathetic custodians who will honour and respect their history. This has led the Trust to repair and find new uses for buildings that other groups would not tackle, for example due to their location. More recently, the Trust has focused on its role as custodian of museums; primarily Dennis Severs House, and now 19 Princelet Street, which it plans to open to the public in due course.

The Trust is run by a Board of Trustees, which aims to be un-bureaucratic and democratic. The Trustees are supported by a small staff, which enables the Trust to keep its running costs low, so that more funds are directed into its projects.

The Trust also plays an important role in campaigning for the historic environment in East London, working with local communities, amenity groups and Councils. The Trust has been heavily involved in local planning consultations and supports the Save Brick Lane campaign.

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