Place    From 1725  To 1913

Westminster Union Workhouse / St James Workhouse

Categories: Social Welfare

The parish of St James Piccadilly erected a workhouse on Poland Street in 1725 for the able-bodied poor. This was taken over by the newly-formed Westminster Union in 1868. The workhouse closed in or shortly after 1913.

In 1914 the site was used for housing wartime refugees - 200 Russian Jews, mostly from Antwerp. It became the Poland Street Institute for Jews. 1925 much of the site was reconstructed as a garage, but not the western section where the plaque is found.

More information at Workhouses - St James's which supplies our image of the workhouse in 1809.

1884 map showing the area covered by all the different Poor Law Unions, including Westminster.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Westminster Union Workhouse / St James Workhouse

Commemorated ati

Westminster Union Workhouse

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Priscilla Wakefield

Priscilla Wakefield

Born Priscilla Bell in Tottenham. Quaker philanthropist and author of feminist economics, scientific subjects, travel, children's non-fiction. Best known book was 'The Juvenile Travellers' which ha...

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1 memorial
The Engine Room

The Engine Room

From their website: "The Engine Room helps activists, organisations, and other social change agents make the most of data and technology to increase their impact."

Group, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Pulford Street Site Committee

Pulford Street Site Committee

The Pulford Street Site Fund was responsible for raising the resources necessary, mainly from Westminster residents, with grants from the Ministry of Health and Westminster Council, to build the Ta...

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2 memorials
Margaret McMillan

Margaret McMillan

Socialist propogandist and educationalist. Born at Throgg's Neck, Westchester county, New York. Both her parents were from Scotland, and the family returned there when her father died. She attended...

Person, Education, Social Welfare, Scotland, USA

1 memorial
Lady Eleanor Keane

Lady Eleanor Keane

Pioneer in youth work. Born Eleanor Lucy Hicks-Beach, eldest daughter of 1st Earl St Aldwyn. On Valentine's day 1907, just 2 months before laying the foundation stone, she married the Irishman Sir ...

Person, Children, Social Welfare

1 memorial

Previously viewed

11, Northampton Square

11, Northampton Square

The picture source website points out: The house at which this caller is visiting is No. 11, and there is a brass plate on the door bearing the words "G. Baxter, Offices No. 12".

Building, Property

1 memorial
J. Maher
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
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1 memorial
Ralph Steadman

Ralph Steadman

Cartoonist and illustrator. Born in Wallasey, Cheshire. Best known for his political and social caricatures, cartoons and picture books. He had a long partnership with the American journalist Hunte...

Person, Art

1 memorial
St Olave's Grammar School

St Olave's Grammar School

Founded by Henry Leeke. Was in a building on Tooley Street from 1855 - 1967. The school has been on a number of sites in the area - see the school's history page for details.  It is now in Orping...

Building, Education

1 memorial