Workhouse Girls Dormitory
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Workhouse Girls Dormitory
The girls dormitory at an unidentified workhouse. Date: 1909
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 7193301
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10530007
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "A Home Away from Home: Life in a Workhouse Dormitory for Women and Girls, 1909" This evocative photograph captures the daily life of women and girls residing in a workhouse dormitory during the early 20th century. Workhouses were institutions established in England and Wales to provide relief for the poor, the destitute, and the homeless. The system, which originated in the late 16th century, was based on the principle of "less eligibility," aiming to discourage able-bodied paupers from seeking assistance and instead encouraging them to work. In this image, we see a dormitory filled with simple wooden beds, each with a thin mattress and a blanket. The girls and women, dressed in plain, drab clothing, appear to be engaged in various activities. Some are sewing, while others are reading or writing in their notebooks. The atmosphere is quiet and orderly, with a sense of routine and discipline that governed life in the workhouse. Despite the harsh conditions, the workhouse provided a roof over the heads of those who had nowhere else to go. The inmates were expected to work, often in the workhouse itself or in local industries, to contribute to their own support and that of the institution. The dormitory served as a communal living space, where the girls and women would sleep, eat, and socialize. This photograph offers a glimpse into the daily life of those who lived in workhouses during this period. It is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the poor and destitute in early 20th-century England and the role that workhouses played in providing a safety net for those in need.
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