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Union Workhouse, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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Union Workhouse, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A view of the union workhouse at Newcastle-upon-Tyne erected in 1840 on Westgate Road. In front of the building is a man with a hand-cart. Date: Date unknown
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Media ID 14147558
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
1840 Erected Hand Cart Newcastle Upon Tyne Westgate Workhouse
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: A Man and His Hand-Cart before the Union Workhouse, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (circa 1840s) 2. Description: This evocative image captures the somber reality of life in the Union Workhouse of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as depicted by an anonymous photographer of the 1840s. The Union Workhouse, located on Westgate Road, was erected in 1840 as a response to the growing poverty and destitution in the city. The building's imposing facade, with its high, fortified walls and barred windows, speaks volumes about the institutional nature of the workhouse system. 3. Context: The Union Workhouse was designed to provide relief and shelter to the poor, the sick, and the destitute. However, the living conditions within its walls were notoriously harsh. Inmates were expected to work long hours in the workhouse, and those unable to work were left to endure meager rations and spartan accommodations. The man in the foreground, with his hand-cart, likely represents one of the many individuals who were forced to rely on their own means to survive, despite the presence of the workhouse. 4. Historical Significance: The Union Workhouse at Newcastle-upon-Tyne is an important piece of social history, shedding light on the living conditions and struggles of the urban poor during the Victorian era. The photograph offers a glimpse into the past, revealing the stark contrast between the haves and the have-nots and the societal structures that perpetuated poverty and inequality. 5. Technical Details: The photograph is an original print from the Mary Evans Picture Library, with the exact date unknown. The medium-format negative or glass plate negative process was likely used to capture the image, which has been preserved and digitized for future generations to study and appreciate. The photograph's muted tones and sharp detail add to its historical authenticity and emotional resonance.
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