Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > Dorset > Wyke
Union Workhouse and Staff, Weymouth, Dorset
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Union Workhouse and Staff, Weymouth, Dorset
The porter and uniformed female staff stand at the entrance to the Weymouth Union workhouse, erected in 1836 on Wyke Road, Weymouth, Dorset. The building later became Portway Hospital but has now been converted to residential use. Much of the building to the left is covered in ivy
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4481715
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10472800
1830s 1836 Converted Covered Dorset Health L Aw Over Grown Poor Porter Railings Residential Staff Stand Weymouth Workhouse Wyke Portway
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Dorset
> Weymouth
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Dorset
> Wyke
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the entrance to the Weymouth Union Workhouse as it stood in the late 1800s. The imposing stone building, erected in 1836 on Wyke Road in Weymouth, Dorset, was designed to provide shelter and support for the poor and destitute. The porter and uniformed female staff stand proudly at the entrance, ready to welcome those in need. The building later served as Portway Hospital but has now been converted to residential use. Much of the building to the left is covered in ivy, adding an air of tranquility and growth to the once austere institution. The Union Workhouse system was established in England and Wales in 1834, as part of the Poor Law Amendment Act. The aim was to provide a centralized system of relief for the poor, replacing the haphazard and often ineffective parish system. The workhouses were intended to be a deterrent to those seeking relief, with harsh living conditions designed to encourage self-reliance and hard work. The staff at the Weymouth Union Workhouse would have been responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the institution, ensuring that inmates adhered to the strict rules and worked diligently in the workshops or on the farm. The uniformed female staff, with their starched caps and aprons, would have provided a sense of order and discipline. The pavement in front of the entrance is lined with railings, adding a sense of formality and control. The building's grand stone facade, with its intricate detailing and large windows, speaks of a time when the provision of care for the poor was seen as a matter of law and social responsibility. Today, the building stands as a testament to the history of social welfare in Weymouth and Dorset, and serves as a reminder of the important role that institutions like the Union Workhouse played in providing support for those in need.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
