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St Saviours Union workhouse, Southwark, London
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St Saviours Union workhouse, Southwark, London
A view of the mens yard and rear of the building at St Saviours Union workhouse on Marlborough Street in Southwark, south London. The garden is well stocked with plants and flowers. Some of the workhouse inmates are sitting on benches
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Media ID 4481613
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10472823
Benches Inmates Marlborough Mens Pla Nts Rear Saviour Saviours Southwark Workhouse Yard
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in time at St Saviour's Union Workhouse on Marlborough Street in Southwark, South London, circa late 19th century. The image offers a unique glimpse into the daily life of the workhouse inmates, providing a stark contrast to the often-perceived harshness and bleakness of these institutions. The men in the photograph are seen sitting on benches in the well-tended yard, surrounded by a lush and flourishing garden filled with vibrant flowers and plants. The rear of the imposing workhouse building can be seen in the background, its red-brick facade softened by the verdant foliage. St Saviour's Union Workhouse was established in 1837 to provide relief and shelter to the destitute, the elderly, and the infirm. The yard and garden were essential spaces for the inmates, offering a semblance of normalcy and respite from the regimented routine of workhouse life. The presence of flowers and plants suggests that some care and attention were given to these spaces, perhaps by the inmates themselves or by the workhouse staff. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and often misunderstood history of workhouses in England. While they were undoubtedly institutions of last resort, they also provided a safety net for those in need and offered a sense of community and companionship. The men in the photograph, with their weary expressions and worn clothing, bear testament to the hardships they faced, but their presence in the garden, engaged in a simple and communal activity, speaks to the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit.
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