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Romford Union Workhouse, Essex
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Romford Union Workhouse, Essex
The central cross-shaped block of the Romford Union Workhouse, Essex. The buildings later became part of Oldchurch Hospital. Date: 2000
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Media ID 7193335
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10530045
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the central cross-shaped block of the Romford Union Workhouse in Essex, England, as it appeared in the year 2000. The workhouse, a stark reminder of the past, was once a place of last resort for the destitute, the infirm, and the vulnerable in the community. Built in the mid-19th century, the Romford Union Workhouse was designed to accommodate paupers who had no other means of support. The workhouse system, established under the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, aimed to deter able-bodied individuals from becoming reliant on public assistance by forcing them to work in exchange for shelter and food. The central block of the workhouse, with its imposing Gothic Revival architecture, housed the infirmary, where the sick and infirm were cared for. The workhouse also included a school for children, a chapel, and various workshops where inmates could earn their keep by performing tasks such as spinning, weaving, and shoemaking. Despite the best intentions of the workhouse system, conditions were often harsh and inhumane. Paupers were subjected to long hours of hard labor, meager rations, and strict discipline. The workhouse was a place of last resort, a place where people went only when they had no other options. Today, the Romford Union Workhouse stands as a testament to a bygone era. The buildings have since been converted into Oldchurch Hospital, providing essential healthcare services to the community. The photograph serves as a reminder of the past, a reminder of the struggles and hardships faced by those who lived in the workhouse, and a reminder of the importance of compassion and care for those in need.
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