Wakefield Workhouse

Explore what life was like in the Wakefield Workhouse through a range of museum objects, photographs and documents.

Browse a selection of highlights, and download our full resource packs for more:

These resources are for KS3 and KS4.

Photograph of a group of men and women, some smartly dressed, others in work clothes, outside a building

Photograph of domestic staff outside Wakefield Workhouse (1904 – 1915)

What is it? A copy of a photograph.

How old is it? The image was taken sometime between 1904 and 1915.

What does the image show us? The image shows us a group of unknown people, including domestic staff, outside Wakefield Workhouse.

Why is this source important? This formally posed image shows both the fashion and the uniforms worn in the workhouse in the early 20th century. Between each person sat on the front row there has been placed a potted plant - we do not know if this is significant or just for adding interest to the image.

Who would have used this? We are not certain who took the image or why it was taken. It might have been a promotional photograph taken to project a desired view of the workhouse to the public or to funders.

Where is it now? It is part of the Wakefield Museums' collection. The original is with West Yorkshire Archive Service.

Two men inside a large greenhouse lined with plants

Photograph from inside the Wakefield Workhouse greenhouse (1906)

What is it? A copy of photograph.

How old is it? The image was taken in 1906.

What does the image show us? The image was taken in the Wakefield Workhouse greenhouse.

Why is this source important? It shows that there was a greenhouse as part of the workhouse.

Who would have used this? We do not know exactly. It could have been taken by a keen photographer trying out their equipment; it may have been to create a visual record of spaces available at the workhouse.

Where is it now? It is part of the Wakefield Museums' collection. The original is with West Yorkshire Archive Service.

Large brick buildings at the end of a street on a rainy day

Photograph of Wakefield Workhouse (1920 to 1930)

What is it? It is a black and white photograph.

How old is it? The photo was taken sometime between 1920 and 1930.

What does the image show us? It shows us Park Lodge Lane, Eastmoor. Wakefield Workhouse buildings are visible in the distance.

Why is this source important? It is a visual record of the area in which the Wakefield Workhouse was located.

Where was it found / discovered / made? This photograph was transferred to the museums' collection in 1978 from Wakefield Town Hall.

Where is it now? It is part of the Wakefield Museums' collection.

A copper coin with the portrait of George the third on one side

Halfpenny coin (1799)

What is it? It is a halfpenny coin from the reign of King George III.

How old is it? The coin was produced in 1799.

What does the image show us? The images show both sides of the same halfpenny coin. A portrait of King George III is on the 'heads' side (a) and the year 1799 is on the 'tails' side (b).

Where was it found / discovered / made? The coin was found during the demolition of the old Wakefield Workhouse on Thornhill Street.

Why is this source important? It gives us a clue about the old workhouse's history. The workhouse on Thornhill Street must have been in use when the coin was left there which was after 1799.

What is it made of? Metal.

Who would have used this? A halfpenny was a small coin with a small value. It could be easily dropped and lost by anyone. As it was found at the site of the old workhouse, perhaps this coin had been part of a staff member's pay packet or maybe it was given as part of an inmate's poor relief payment.

Transcription of text upon coin: (a) Georgius III Dei Gratia Rex (b) Britannia 1799.

Where is it now? It is part of the Wakefield Museums' collection.