Gritty life in the workhouse revealed in new exhibition

ARTEFACTS detailing the gritty lives of people living in Rotherham’s workhouse in the 19th century have gone on show in the town’s Clifton Park Museum.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st May 2013, 01:01 BST

The documents on display, from the Rotherham Archives and Local Studies collection, include a workhouse birth register, copies of photographs of the Rotherham workhouse building and newspaper articles.

Following the Poor Law Act of 1834, parishes were formed into “Poor Law Unions”, each with their own workhouse.

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The Rotherham Poor Law Union came in to existence in 1837 and built a workhouse on Alma Road, which opened in 1840.

After 1930, the workhouse was renamed the Alma Road Public Assistance institution, then later became the Moorgate General Hospital which closed in 1980.

Christine Evans from Rotherham Council said: “The workhouse was the starting point for incredible social and welfare reform.

“This display highlights the impact of the workhouse on families during the nineteenth and early twentieth century.”

The Archives and Local Studies service is also hosting an Archives Skills workshop on Friday, May 10, from 10am until 12 noon.

For further details call 01709 336633.

Related topics:Rotherham