Museum and chapel to mark 150 years

This will start with a special day on Monday, March 28.

This was the day when both the Leeds Union Workhouse (now the Thackray Museum) and the Chapel opened in 1861. Workhouse life was not intended to be pleasant; hard labour and harsh conditions meant that this lifestyle was very much a last resort.

All visitors to the museum on the day will have an opportunity to try some typical workhouse activities, such as spinning and picking oakum – picking apart old ropes.

These activities will take place throughout the day between 1.30pm and 6.30pm. There will also be hourly behind-the-scenes tours from 2-5pm, which will allow visitors to see some of the original features of the building that are not normally publicly accessible.

There will also be the chance to visit the newly refurbished Conference Centre, where museum staff will be available to answer any queries.

A service at the Chapel at 10.30am for invited guests including the Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Patrick Davey, will commemorate the original service conducted on 28 March 1861.

This will be followed by a Workhouse Meal at the Thackray Museum for Chapel attendees, starting at noon.

The fare will not be very different from the one eaten in 1861, and the Workhouse Matron will oversee the proceedings.

Please contact the Thackray Museum on 0113 244 4343 for further information about the 150th Anniversary and its events.

This award-winning visitor attraction opened in 1997 and is housed in a former 19th century workhouse that is now a Grade 2 Listed Building.

The museum is on two floors and has nine permanent galleries housing imaginative displays.