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A History of Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse
In 1776 the combined parishes of Mitford and Launditch bought Chapel Farm at Gressenhall to build a ‘house of industry’ for the poor.
In 1834 the Poor Law Amendment Act led to the transformation of the house of industry into a workhouse. The aim was to keep costs low by making life for the paupers so unpleasant that people would do their utmost to avoid having to live there.
A new system of classification separated men, women and children. Work included breaking stones, pumping water, carting gravel and oakum picking for men and domestic chores in the kitchens, laundry and female wards for women. The only plus points of living here were the health care and education.
The workhouse closed in 1948. After a short period of time as an old people’s home Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse opened as a museum in 1976.
Our only regret is that we ran out of time as there was so much to do.
Our two youngsters love the place…The exhibits just go on and on and you really can't see it all in the day….I can't speak highly enough of the whole experience.
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