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Sturminster Newton Union Workhouse
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Sturminster Newton Union Workhouse
The entrance block of the Sturminster Union Workhouse at Sturminster Newton in Dorset. The workhouse chapel stands to the right. Date: 2000
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Media ID 7193245
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10530047
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EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: A Glimpse into the Past: Sturminster Newton Union Workhouse, Dorset, England (2000). This evocative photograph captures the entrance block of Sturminster Newton Union Workhouse, located in the picturesque town of Sturminster Newton in Dorset, England. Established in 1734, this workhouse was a vital institution in the English Poor Law system, providing shelter, food, and work for the destitute, the elderly, and the infirm. The image offers a poignant reminder of a bygone era, when the workhouse was the last resort for those who had fallen on hard times and were unable to support themselves. The grandiose architecture of the entrance block, with its tall, arched windows and intricate stonework, stands in stark contrast to the somber reality that once unfolded within its walls. The workhouse chapel, visible to the right, served as a place of worship for the paupers, offering them a brief respite from the harsh realities of workhouse life. The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, which introduced the New Poor Law, mandated that workhouses be designed to discourage entry and to enforce discipline through hard labor. The system was intended to be a deterrent, forcing able-bodied paupers to seek employment rather than rely on public assistance. Despite its unappealing reputation, the workhouse system played a crucial role in providing for the needs of the most vulnerable members of society during a time when the welfare state was yet to be established. Today, the remains of Sturminster Newton Union Workhouse stand as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who lived through it, as well as a reminder of the historical significance of the English Poor Law system.
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