Old Workhouse, Hunslet
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Old Workhouse, Hunslet
The old Hunslet Union workhouse on Hillidge Road, Hunslet. High wells separate the areas used by different categories of inmates. The site was closed in 1903 following the opening of a new workhouse at Rothwell Haigh. Date: circa 1902
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Media ID 7244879
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10576601
Closed Haigh Hunslet Inmates Opening Rothwell Separate Wells Workhouse Categories
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: A Divided Community: Old Hunslet Union Workhouse, Leeds, circa 1902 The Old Hunslet Union Workhouse, located on Hillidge Road in Hunslet, Leeds, stands as a testament to a bygone era of social welfare and community division. Constructed to provide relief for the indigent and destitute, this imposing edifice was a central part of the local social fabric during the late Victorian period. The photograph, taken circa 1902, offers a glimpse into the internal layout of the workhouse. High, stone-built walls separate the various areas designated for different categories of inmates. The workhouse was a place of last resort for those who had no other means of support. The strict hierarchical system ensured that the inmates were kept in their designated places, with each area having its unique set of rules and living conditions. The Old Hunslet Union Workhouse was a union workhouse, meaning it was funded and managed by the local community through the Poor Law Union. It was designed to be self-sufficient, with inmates expected to work and contribute to the upkeep of the institution. The site was closed in 1903, following the opening of a new workhouse at Rothwell Haigh, which could accommodate a larger population and offer more modern facilities. The high walls and separate living quarters served to reinforce the social divide between the able-bodied inmates and those who were sick, elderly, or disabled. The workhouse system, while intended to provide relief, often perpetuated a cycle of poverty and dependence, leaving a lasting impact on the communities it served. This photograph offers a poignant reminder of a time when the social safety net was far less comprehensive and the divide between the haves and have-nots was more pronounced. The Old Hunslet Union Workhouse stands as a symbol of the challenges and complexities of social welfare in the late Victorian era.
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