Union Workhouse, Reading, Berkshire
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Union Workhouse, Reading, Berkshire
Reading Union workhouse was opened in 1867 at a site on Oxford Road in Reading, Berkshire. This view of the entrance dates from the First World War when the site was taken over for use as a military hospital
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4464397
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10415968
1867 Berkshire Deployed Deployment Health L Aw Legislation Oxford Pauper Paupers Poor Poverty Workhouse Workhouses Wounded War Time
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Union Workhouse on Oxford Road in Reading, Berkshire, during the First World War when the site was repurposed as a military hospital. The grand entrance, once the sole point of entry for the paupers who sought shelter and relief within its cold walls, now stands as a symbol of care and healing for the wounded soldiers who were deployed to the battlefields of Europe. Originally opened in 1867, the Union Workhouse was a product of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, which aimed to provide a more efficient and economical system for the relief of poverty. The Victorian and Edwardian eras saw the construction of numerous workhouses across the country, each designed to house and provide for the destitute, the sick, and the elderly. As the 20th century dawned, the Union Workhouse in Reading underwent a transformation, becoming a vital component in the British war effort. The grand architecture of the building, with its imposing entrance and intricate details, stands as a testament to the historical significance of this site. The image, taken in 1915, shows the entrance to the hospital wing of the Union Workhouse, with soldiers in uniforms and nurses in white uniforms moving in and out of the building. The scene is a poignant reminder of the intersection of poverty, legislation, and war time care, as the building that once housed the destitute now provided a sanctuary for the wounded soldiers of the Great War. This photograph, with its rich historical context, offers a glimpse into the past and the remarkable adaptability of architecture in response to the changing needs of society. The Union Workhouse in Reading, Berkshire, remains an important part of the local and national history, a testament to the resilience and compassion of those who sought to provide care and relief during times of need.
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