A podcast presenter has gone back in time to explore what life was like in a workhouse.
In its latest series, the multi award-winning National Trust Podcast has shone a spotlight on The Workhouse and Infirmary, Southwell, which this year marks 200 years since it opened.
Curator and presenter James Grasby travelled to the site on the outskirts of the town to record the episode, which saw him transported back to 1871 to see for himself what life would have been like for a single male inmate forced to knock on the door and ask for help.
James was shown around the site by Fiona Lewin, collections and house officer, and learnt how families would have been separated and children would have been schooled, before heading upstairs to the dormitories to learn more about what happened to the building once its Workhouse days were over.
Michelle Douglass, senior podcast producer at the trust said: “We love to tell stories about people and places to really bring our history and heritage to life. Recording on location gives that extra depth to our storytelling and can transport a listener back in time. We’ve wanted to make an episode at The Workhouse and Infirmary for a few years because it’s such a unique building within our care and tells the stories from a part of history that a lot of us can relate to and trace our own roots back to.
“We’ve been working with Find My Past to better share how people can look back at their family trees and what lives their ancestors led. And I think it’s fair to say many more of us can trace our roots back to the workhouses than we can the grand country houses.”
The Workhouse and Infirmary opened in 1824 and was considered a forerunner to the workhouses opened once the New Poor Law of 1834 came into play.
Fiona Lewin added: “The Workhouse was built as a place of last resort for the destitute. The system implemented here was developed by the Reverend John T. Becher and George Nicholls and their ideas shaped the way in which the poor were treated during the 19th century.
“It’s a really important part of history and we’re really proud to take care of a building that touched so many lives. To have the National Trust Podcast make one of their episodes here, in our anniversary year, helps keep the stories alive for generations to come.”
In addition to the podcast, The Workhouse and Infirmary is marking its 200th anniversary with special displays and storytelling talks and tours.
