The Workhouse and Cathedral in Southwell

In the town of Southwell not far from where my mum lives there is a fine example of a Victorian Workhouse. Apparently one of the only ones remaining untouched from its original form. Built in 1836 it provided housing, food, work and education for the local poor.


In its original incarnation, the Workhouse had some interesting and quite harsh methods, including the seqregation of the poor into the 'blameless' poor (the aged and disabled) and the 'undeserving' poor (the able-bodied who it was deemed were quite capable of working and earning a living). The residents were further separated into male and female and children with the result thar a family would be separated during their stay at the Workhouse.

When today in my home town of Sacramento we have a sizable tent city of homeless people squatting by the river, you realize we still, some two centuries later, have some of the same issues that the Victorians were dealing with in this workhouse.

Southwell is a beautiful town with more than just a Workhouse. It has a wonderful Cathedral in the middle of town. A spectacular and dramatic building.



A few more photos are to be found here.