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Old Workhouse, Salisbury, Wiltshire
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Old Workhouse, Salisbury, Wiltshire
A view of the former Salisbury workhouse on Crane Street which closed in 1869. Date: 1881
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Media ID 14147642
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
1869 1881 Closed Crane Salisbury Workhouse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Old Workhouse on Crane Street in Salisbury, Wiltshire, as it stood in 1881, a decade after its closure in 1869. The Workhouse, an imposing edifice with its high, Gothic-style chimneys and intricately designed facade, once served as a place of last resort for the destitute, the infirm, and the elderly in the community. The Workhouse system, established under the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601, aimed to provide a minimal level of support for those who could not care for themselves, while also deterring able-bodied individuals from becoming reliant on public assistance. The inmates, known as paupers, were required to work in return for their keep, and strict rules governed their daily lives. By the mid-19th century, however, the Workhouse system came under criticism for its harsh conditions and inadequate provisions. Reforms were introduced, and many Workhouses were rebuilt or replaced with more humane institutions. The Salisbury Workhouse, which opened in 1732, was one such institution. Its closure in 1869 marked the end of an era, as the city's poor were gradually transitioned to the new Salisbury Union Workhouse, located in Fisherton de la Mere. This photograph provides a glimpse into the past, offering a poignant reminder of the history and social fabric of Salisbury and its people during a time of significant change. The Old Workhouse, now a part of the city's rich heritage, stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who lived and worked within its walls.
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