THE DROP OF MILK

On Boulevard Leclerc, just a few metres from the imposing Usine Motte-Bossut, one stands at the architecture as original as its name: the Drop of Milk. With its Anglo-Norman façade, the white of the woodwork reveals the bright red of its doors, the building detonate and interpelle. But what is the history of this place? In 1893, a report revealed that in Roubaix the infant mortality rate was extremely high due to poor food hygiene. In the face of this scourge, a Roubaisien Committee for Child Protection is being established. At the same time, at the same time, Fine created the Drop of Milk, which was designed to distribute sterilized milk to mothers who could not breastfeed, provide consultation with infants and provide advice on hygiene. Very quickly, this organisation is like throughout France. The Drop of Milk in Roubaix began operating in 1904 thanks to donations from a rich industrial of the city, Pierre Wibaux. The results of improved nutrition and hygiene are quickly felt. The city therefore decides to provide the association of its own premises. The latter will be built on a parcel belonging to the Motte-Bossut Plant. Entrusted to architect Albert Bouvy, the realization of the premises ends in 1912. With two separate buildings, one rue de la Poste and the other boulevard Leclerc, the association provides consultations and preparation of milk rations. But in the 50 s, while the Ministry of Health obliges schools to provide daily milk rations to all children, the Roubaisienne Milk Drop infrastructure can no longer follow. In the late 50 s, the municipality decided to sell the buildings. Now rehabilitated by architect Jean-Charles Huet, the building of Boulevard Leclerc has lost nothing of its superb and remains a key witness in the history of the city… and still retains a medical vocation since it houses a rheumatology firm.