Worcester Female Asylum: The History of Bishop’s House on Lansdowne Crescent
Discover the fascinating history of Worcester’s Bishop’s House, once a refuge for women seeking a new life away from vice
Worcester, UK, Bishop’s House, Worcester Female Asylum, History, Charity
Worcester: Bishop’s House, which you see today, was originally built in 1831 as the Worcester Female Asylum. It’s now split into apartments but has a rich history.
The asylum aimed to help women escape a life of prostitution and find a better path. It was all about giving them a chance to live honestly and with dignity.
Back in the day, most of the women there were quite young, mostly between 15 and 19. It’s a bit heartbreaking to think about their struggles.
Colin Roberts, a local historian, shared that a public meeting in 1825 led to the creation of this refuge. It was meant for women looking for a safe place to turn their lives around.
They even appointed a matron to oversee things and welcomed women who wanted to leave their past behind. The goal was noble, and they hoped for community support to keep it running.
The founding committee also asked for donations of furniture and linens, showing how much they relied on the kindness of others to make this work.
However, Colin pointed out some confusion about where the original asylum was located. It seems it opened in 1825, but the exact spot is still a bit of a mystery.
By 1929, 34 young women had found refuge there, even though it could only house 15 at a time. Some were clearly on their way to a better life.
The 1837 Worcester Directory described the Lansdowne site, mentioning a garden and various wards for the women. It sounds like a pretty decent setup for the time.
The chaplain and a few doctors were involved, including Dr. Charles Hastings, who later founded the British Medical Association. Quite the impressive lineup!
A census from 1841 listed 14 women living there, mostly in their teens. Sadly, the asylum only operated at Lansdowne until the 1840s before closing down.
After that, the building became a private residence known as Lansdowne House. It had several owners over the years, including a railway engineer and a solicitor.
In the early 1900s, a bishop lived there, and it was during his time that the name changed to Bishop’s House.
The next notable resident was Miss Diana Ogilvy, who made history as Worcester’s first woman mayor in 1931. Quite a legacy for a house with such a unique past!