Union Workhouse and Infirmary, Birmingham

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Union Workhouse and Infirmary, Birmingham

Aerial view of the Birmingham Union workhouse and infirmary on Dudley Road, Birmingham. The workhouse, opened in 1852, is the cross-shaped building just above right of centre of the picture. The parallel blocks of the Union infirmary, dating from 1888, run across the centre of the view

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Media ID 4418128

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10418581

1852 1888 Birmingham Blocks Dudley Health Infirmary L Aw Parallel Poor Poverty Shaped Workhouse Workhouses

EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: A Historical Perspective of Poverty and Care: An Aerial View of Birmingham's Union Workhouse and Infirmary (1852-1888) This evocative aerial photograph captures the Union Workhouse and Infirmary, a poignant reminder of Birmingham's past, situated on Dudley Road. The cross-shaped Union Workhouse, opened in 1852, is located just above right of centre in the image. The parallel blocks of the Union Infirmary, which date back to 1888, span the centre of the view. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Union Workhouse and Infirmary served as a vital institution in the community, providing shelter, food, and medical care for the impoverished and destitute. The workhouse system, established under the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, aimed to deter able-bodied individuals from becoming reliant on public assistance. Those who were unable to support themselves were admitted to the workhouse, where they were expected to work in exchange for their keep. The Union Infirmary, which later expanded in 1888, was responsible for the medical care of the workhouse residents and the wider community. This expansion reflected the growing recognition of the importance of public health and medical care during the Victorian era. The cross-shaped design of the workhouse was a common architectural feature, symbolizing the Christian ethos that underpinned the workhouse system. The parallel blocks of the Union Infirmary, on the other hand, reflect the more modern, institutional approach to healthcare that emerged during the late 19th century. This aerial view offers a unique perspective on the history of poverty, housing, and care in Birmingham during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Union Workhouse and Infirmary stand as testament to the complex social and historical context of this period, revealing the challenges and triumphs of a city and its people.

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