Barking Workhouse Plaque restored

We were delighted to unveil this morning a fascinating fragment of Barking's 18^th century workhouse, restored and relocated to Abbey Green, Barking.

The plaque was once mounted high on the pediment of Barking’s Georgian workhouse and is the only surviving remnant of a building that once dominated Barking's civic life.

Demolished in 1936, the workhouse has vanished from the townscape, but the stone plaque spent decades lying in pieces in the kitchen garden at Eastbury Manor House.

Careful restoration work from Cliveden Conservation has restored its legibility and it has been pieced back together and relocated as close to its original site as possible.

A translation of the Latin reads:

“This house, of honourable industry, was built and paid for by the distinguished members of Barking Parish to restrain the disorder of the wicked and improve the spirit of the poor, for the glory of God.

178[6] - the 26th year of the reign of [King] George III.”

Over 220 local young people were involved in the project through our Proud Places programme.

At the unveiling, there were speeches from HOLT Director Dr Nicola Stacey, Cllr Manzoor Hussain, Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, and Simone Panayi, Heritage Engagement Officer, BeFirst - Barking and Dagenham's regeneration delivery agency. The ribbon was cut by the Mayor alongside pupils from St Margaret's CofE Primary School.  

Cllr Manzoor Hussain said: "Projects like this make people proud - to learn about the people that came before us and to see their long-lasting hard work and protect it. It also gives Barking some positive exposure and might bring in more visitors, boosting the local economy. It's important for so many reasons that Councils and heritage organisations continue to collaborate in preserving sites like this."

Naima, age 11, said: “Studying the history of Barking Workhouse has helped us understand how our community has evolved over time. It shows us attitudes towards poverty, welfare and support have changed and how Barking has grown from its Victorian past into the vibrant community we know today. This links to our learning about Victorian Britain, local history and the way society has changed to improve people's lives.”

Kayla, age 11, said: “Having a piece of Barking's history displayed on our school wall makes us feel proud and connected to the generations who lived here before us. It reminds us that history is not just something we read about in textbooks. It happened on the very streets we walk every day. It makes us wonder what future generations will think about our impact and the legacy we leave behind.”

The project was supported by the Jones Day Foundation with additional support for the plinth from Weston Homes and Historic England. The plinth was built and designed by Alan Baxter.