Crumpsall Workhouse
(writing this beside @The Excursionists + he gave permission to nab his history)
The Crumpsall workhouse was built was constructed between 1855-57. Designed by Mills and Murgatroyd, the site could accommodate 1660 "inmates", compromising of; 745 able-bodied men and women; 152 women including 76 infants; 248 idiots, imbeciles and epileptics; 255 children under 16; 60 probationers; 200 sick. The very first inmates lived at Crumpsall in 1857. They were able-bodied men who could work on the farm at the site. Between 1909-1920, new blocks used for accommodation were erected to house new inmates and provide more for the "imbeciles". These blocks were the blocks we explored on our visit. They can be seen below to the bottom right of the chimney. During 1866, the Poor Law Board visited Crumpsall and the inspector stated that it was "the most complete as well as one of the best managed work-houses that I had ever inspected. It is in thoroughly excellent ordfer throughout, and generally in such a state as to reflect the highest credit on all concerned in its management and care." Whether this remained the case throughout the years it operated before being renamed the Crescent Road Institution in 1915, the Crumpsall Institute in 1930. 1930 was the year that all workhouses were abolished, meaning Crumpsall came under management of the Manchester Public Assistance Comittee. It was also around this time that the site officially started to treat the mentally ill despite the "lunatic inmates" they housed prior. Park House was the next name for the site in 1939 and later being called Springfield hospital introduced to the NHS in 1948 is unknown.
This was a great way to get back into exploring after my longest break since I started, otherwise known as coronavirus lockdown. Me and @The Excursionists attempted to stay as far apart as we could from each other to look at this intriguing lead. I actually think @MotionlessMike hinted this towards me at some point, but it was such a long time ago, I'm not completely sure. Either way, hospitals of this breed are disappearing quickly so I try to see any hospital of this era that remains in decent condition.
Some photographs from the accommodation portion of the building.
This room was full of a combination of floor polishers and medical records.
Into the mental health focusing section.
Chain staircases and other details reminded us of asylums, which shared similar treatment styles towards mental health than this region of the hospital.
Workshop
The main hall was very unexpected and beautiful. Although cut off, the portion that has been left to deteriorate is another asylum-esque feature with it's arched design and colour.
Here is the link to our documentary styled video on the hospital. We cover the buildings past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
https://youtu.be/oEW941QsPn4
Thanks for reading
(writing this beside @The Excursionists + he gave permission to nab his history)
The Crumpsall workhouse was built was constructed between 1855-57. Designed by Mills and Murgatroyd, the site could accommodate 1660 "inmates", compromising of; 745 able-bodied men and women; 152 women including 76 infants; 248 idiots, imbeciles and epileptics; 255 children under 16; 60 probationers; 200 sick. The very first inmates lived at Crumpsall in 1857. They were able-bodied men who could work on the farm at the site. Between 1909-1920, new blocks used for accommodation were erected to house new inmates and provide more for the "imbeciles". These blocks were the blocks we explored on our visit. They can be seen below to the bottom right of the chimney. During 1866, the Poor Law Board visited Crumpsall and the inspector stated that it was "the most complete as well as one of the best managed work-houses that I had ever inspected. It is in thoroughly excellent ordfer throughout, and generally in such a state as to reflect the highest credit on all concerned in its management and care." Whether this remained the case throughout the years it operated before being renamed the Crescent Road Institution in 1915, the Crumpsall Institute in 1930. 1930 was the year that all workhouses were abolished, meaning Crumpsall came under management of the Manchester Public Assistance Comittee. It was also around this time that the site officially started to treat the mentally ill despite the "lunatic inmates" they housed prior. Park House was the next name for the site in 1939 and later being called Springfield hospital introduced to the NHS in 1948 is unknown.
This was a great way to get back into exploring after my longest break since I started, otherwise known as coronavirus lockdown. Me and @The Excursionists attempted to stay as far apart as we could from each other to look at this intriguing lead. I actually think @MotionlessMike hinted this towards me at some point, but it was such a long time ago, I'm not completely sure. Either way, hospitals of this breed are disappearing quickly so I try to see any hospital of this era that remains in decent condition.
Some photographs from the accommodation portion of the building.
This room was full of a combination of floor polishers and medical records.
Into the mental health focusing section.
Chain staircases and other details reminded us of asylums, which shared similar treatment styles towards mental health than this region of the hospital.
Workshop
The main hall was very unexpected and beautiful. Although cut off, the portion that has been left to deteriorate is another asylum-esque feature with it's arched design and colour.
Here is the link to our documentary styled video on the hospital. We cover the buildings past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
https://youtu.be/oEW941QsPn4
Thanks for reading
