The Workhouse

A workhouse was a state-run facility in 19th-century Britain designed to support the impoverished. People who had no means of support—due to unemployment, illness, or other hardships—could enter these institutions to receive shelter, food, and work. In exchange, residents performed manual labor, often under strict conditions. Workhouses aimed to provide basic relief while discouraging dependency by making conditions intentionally austere. They reflected societal efforts to manage poverty but also faced criticism for their harsh environments and the stigmatization of residents.