Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is a museum of rural life and former workhouse in the village of Gressenhall, Norfolk.[1] It also houses a traditional working farm,[2] a collection of art and artefacts, and a library and archive.[3][4]
History
[edit]
The Mitford and Launditch Hundreds Incorporation was established in 1775, with the land on which a "house of industry" would be built being purchased the following year.[5] The Mitford and Launditch Corporation House of Industry was opened on 7 July 1777.[6] The building accommodated an average of 450 "inmates", but at its peak in 1801 housed 670.[5]
In 1834, the Poor Law Amendment Act led to the creation of the Mitford and Launditch Poor Law Union.[5] The conversion of the House of Industry to Union Workhouse began in 1836.[6]
Inhabitants of the workhouse who have been remembered include Harriet Kettle, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison with hard labour for setting a fire in the building,[7] and Elizabeth Rudd, "a pauper inmate of the workhouse", who became pregnant while there.[8]
The chapel was, designed by R. M. Pinson and opened by the Bishop of Norwich, was built in 1868.[6]
In 1930, the workhouse became Gressenhall Institution, and after World War II provided accommodation for elderly people, and occasionally as emergency housing for homeless families.[5] In 1976, it became a rural life museum.[5]
Museum
[edit]In 2011, Gressenhall became the first accredited museum to have a gallery dedicated to Land Girls and the wartime role they played.[9] As well as photographs, uniforms, and tools, the exhibition featured audio recordings by former members of the Land Army and Timber Corps.[9]
In 2024, an exhibition called "Making the Rounds" used textile works to explore the story of workhouse nurses.[10] One of the women whose story was uncovered by volunteers conducting research for the project was Helen Hart, a British-born suffragist, lecturer, nurse, and journalist, who became well-known in Australia.[11]
The art collection includes works by artists such as Perry Nursey (1799–1867), J. Locke (active 1870–1900), and James Scraggs (active 1816–1831).[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "What's here at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse". Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse - Norfolk Museums Service. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse". Visit Norfolk. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse: The Museum of Norfolk Life | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Gressenhall library and archive". Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse - Norfolk Museums Service. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ a b c d e "The Workhouse in Mitford & Launditch, Norfolk". www.workhouses.org.uk. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ a b c "Workhouse timeline". Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse - Norfolk Museums Service. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ Storey, Neil R. (2012). Norfolk villains : rogues, rascals and reprobates. Internet Archive. Stroud : History. ISBN 978-0-7524-6001-7.
- ^ Lee, Robert (2005). Unquiet country : voices of the rural poor, 1820-1880. Internet Archive. Bollington [England] : Windgather ; London : Distributed by Central Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-905119-03-5.
- ^ a b "Land Girls and Lumber Jills celebrated at Gressenhall". BBC News. 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Dereham workhouse nurses are topic of new art exhibition". BBC News. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Workhouse discovers its former nurse who was sacked for 'insubordination' went on to pioneer suffragette movement in Australia". Lynn News. 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Art UK | Discover Artworks". artuk.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.