Fractured Soles: In the Footsteps of Workhouse Families
New exhibition launches
We are delighted to announce the launch of “Fractured Soles: In the footsteps of Workhouse Families” an immersive audio exhibition that brings to life the often-overlooked stories of Victorian workhouse families.
Award winning playwright and theatre artist Helena Fox, in collaboration with community co-creators, transforms these stories into powerful audio performances that deepen our understanding of the Victorian welfare system and draw parallels with modern-day societal challenges.
The site-specific innovative project, funded by Arts Council England, marks an exciting new chapter for the museum, aimed at creating emotional connections to the past while addressing contemporary social issues.
The project is the result of extensive research by museum staff, who explored original newspaper reports, workhouse censuses, and court records to uncover these hidden narratives.
Award winning playwright and theatre artist Helena Fox, in collaboration with community co-creators, transforms these stories into powerful audio performances that deepen our understanding of the Victorian welfare system and draw parallels with modern-day societal challenges.
Stories from the Workhouse
The exhibition presents seven distinct family experiences and explored he fracturing of family units and harsh realities of a system that separated children from parents, and wives from husbands during he most vulnerable times of their lives.
The site-specific innovative project, funded by Arts Council England, marks an exciting new chapter for the museum, aimed at creating emotional connections to the past while addressing contemporary social issues.
Team effort
The project is the result of extensive research by museum staff, who explored original newspaper reports, workhouse censuses, and court records to uncover these hidden narratives.
Artist Helena Fox collaborated with families and young people who have experience with disability to share these impactful stories.
Special thanks to those who helped bring these stories to life, The Dales School, Mowbray School, RMT Volunteers and local families.
Written and created by Helena Fox
Sound Design by Ben Pugh
Performed byMick Liversidge, Sally Ann Staunton, Natasha Jones and members of the Ripon Workhouse Players (Jen Clough, Pat Wilson, Richard Taylor, Moira Smith and John Holmes).
The project was funded by Arts Council England.
