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Birmingham Union Workhouse, Warwickshire
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Birmingham Union Workhouse, Warwickshire
The boarded up entrance block of the Birmingham Union Workhouse, Warwickshire, opened in 1852. Entry to the workhouse was through an arch known locally as the archway of tears. The site later became Dudley Road Hospital. Date: 2000
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Media ID 7193585
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10530019
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "The Archway of Tears: A Glimpse into Birmingham Union Workhouse, Warwickshire, 2000" The haunting image before you captures the boarded-up entrance block of the Birmingham Union Workhouse, situated in Warwickshire, England. This imposing structure, now a relic of history, opened its doors in 1852. Its imposing presence once loomed large over those who sought refuge within its cold walls. During the Victorian era, the workhouse system was a last resort for the destitute, the infirm, and the elderly. Paupers, as they were called, were admitted only when they had no other means of support. The entrance to this particular workhouse was marked by an archway, locally known as the 'archway of tears.' It was here that families would bid farewell to their loved ones, often weeping as they were forced to leave them behind. The Birmingham Union Workhouse was designed to be a deterrent, an unwelcoming sight that would discourage able-bodied individuals from seeking relief. Inside, inmates were subjected to harsh living conditions, with long hours of labor and meager rations. The workhouse was a far cry from the comfort and security of a loving home. By the turn of the millennium, the Birmingham Union Workhouse had been transformed into Dudley Road Hospital. The passage of time had healed some of the wounds inflicted by the workhouse system, but the memories of those who had experienced it firsthand remained etched in their minds. The archway of tears stood as a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in history, a time when the plight of the poor and destitute was met with cold indifference rather than compassion. This photograph, taken in 2000, offers a glimpse into the past, a window into a time when the harsh realities of poverty and desperation were hidden away behind the imposing walls of a workhouse. The boarded-up entrance block, with its somber history, stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of memory.
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