An archaeology of poverty: architectural innovation and pauper experience at Madeley Union Workhouse, Shropshire

Archaeological analysis of Madeley Union Workhouse in Ironbridge Gorge reveals the nuanced interplay between institutional architecture and pauper experiences during the late 19th century, offering new insights into the region's response to poverty under the New Poor Law. The study demonstrates how architectural innovations reflected evolving ideologies about pauperism, shaping both the living conditions and identities of those confined within the institution. By integrating material culture analysis with historical records, this research challenges simplistic narratives of institutional care, highlighting the complex social dynamics at play during a pivotal period in industrial heritage.

CHARLOTTE, N. (2013). An archaeology of poverty: architectural innovation and pauper experience at Madeley Union Workhouse, Shropshire. Post-Medieval Archaeology, 47(2), 359–377. https://doi.org/10.1179/0079423613z.00000000046