Why did the National Trust buy The Workhouse, Southwell?
The Workhouse was built in 1824 by the Reverend John Becher of Southwell, in Nottinghamshire. For over 150 years it housed the local poor, dominating the local landscape. But by 1997 this nationally important, Grade II* listed building was under threat of being turned into residential flats. Within a matter of weeks the National Trust stepped in to buy it with emergency funds, and started working to secure its long-term future as a monument to the Poor Laws and the poor. The announcement of a £2.25 million award from the Heritage Lottery Fund in July 1999 made it possible for work to start on site later that year. Why is The Workhouse important?
