Monument record MDO27983 - Shaftesbury Union Workhouse, Alcester, Shaftesbury
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Summary
The Shaftesbury Union Workhouse was completed and opened in 1840. It could accommodate 250 inmates and was designed by William Walker, based on the Poor Law Commissioner’s model square plan. After 1930 the workhouse became Shaftesbury Public Assistance Institution and cared for the chronically sick. It was demolished in 1949.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
ST 8562 2272. Poor Law Institution. Of two-storeys with ashlar walls and slated roofs, was built in 1838. Recently demolished. <1>
Shaftesbury Union Workhouse was built in 1838 to designs by William Walker. The building had a cruciform plan and was two-storeys high with ashlar walls and slated roofs. Most of the workhouse building was demolished in 1947 and replaced by housing. However a small part of the east wing appears to survive on modern Ordnance Survey maps and is a house known as 1 Umbers Hill. <1-3>
Shaftesbury Poor Law Union was established in 1836 and comprised 19 parishes. The new workhouse was completed and opened in 1840. It could accommodate 250 inmates and was designed by William Walker, based on the Poor Law Commissioner’s model square plan.
After 1930 the workhouse became Shaftesbury Public Assistance Institution and cared for the chronically sick. ‘Alcester House’ was demolished in 1949.
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SDO99 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1972. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North). 73.
- <2> SDO17690 Monograph: Morrison, K. 1999. The Workhouse: a study of Poor Law Buildings in England.
- <3> SWX1197 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1:2500 scale. 1:2500. 2005.
- <4> SDO14738 Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. BF100486.
- <5> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 913731.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ST 8565 2268 (76m by 84m) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ST82SE |
| Civil Parish | Shaftesbury; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: ST 82 SE 87
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 913731
- National Buildings Record: 100486
Record last edited
Dec 14 2022 6:08AM