Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse

Tickets are £45 each

People of the past

Christopher High was a farm labourer from Whissonsett. He lived with his wife and seven children in a tiny cottage with only two rooms. The whole family slept in a bedroom nine feet wide by seven feet long. This entire cottage has been recreated in the museum.

In 1864 Christopher High's wife died. He could not look after his children and work at the same time, so the youngest children were ordered to enter the workhouse. It was agreed that Christopher and his eldest son could stay outside so that they could work to earn money. This helped to pay for the children's care in the workhouse.

The sculptures in the front courtyard show Christopher leaving his children at this workhouse. After two months Christopher was able to take his children home. A charity provided them with proper beds and clothing. The faces of the sculptures are based upon photographs supplied by descendants of the High family.

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