A creative interpretation of the life of Hannah Wade, inmate at Ripon Union Workhouse (now Ripon Workhouse Museum and Garden). Researched and created as part of the More Than Oliver Twist project by The Workhouse Network, funded by Arts Council England.
Illustration - Hannah Wade (2020) by Mel RyeThe Workhouse Network
This exhibit is part of More Than Oliver Twist, which combines audio narrative and visualisations that interpret historic biographies of UK workhouse inmates from the 1881 census and relates them to 21st century lived experience. We invite you to encounter the multidimensional lives of the people known then as ‘paupers’. The work is drawn directly from the research, museum collections, workhouse buildings, volunteers’ experiences and related contemporary lives. Hannah Wade's exhibit contains material some may find upsetting: mental health issues.
Illustration by Mel Rye.
Radio Interview - Hannah Wade (2020) by Morgan Tipping and Mel RyeThe Workhouse Network
Listen to "Women In Mind" to hear about the story of Hannah Wade.
Audio by Morgan Tipping.
Illustration by Mel Rye.
Illustration - Hannah Wade (2020) by Mel RyeThe Workhouse Network
A full, referenced biography researched and written by Pat Wilson of Ripon Workhouse and Gardens is available at:
https://ehive.com/collections/200344/objects/1096816/wade-hannah
Tap to explore
Google Streetview of the exterior of Ripon Union Workhouse, now Ripon Workhouse Museum.
People's Perspective - Hannah (2020) by Mel RyeThe Workhouse Network
Visuals by Mel Rye.
Jo on Hannah Wade's Story (2020) by Morgan TippingThe Workhouse Network
Jo, a former teacher and advocate of the women's movement shares her thoughts on Hannah Wade's life.
Audio and animation by Morgan Tipping.
Share Your Thoughts - Hannah (2020) by Mel RyeThe Workhouse Network
If you have been affected by any of the issues touched upon in Hannah's story, you may wish to explore these organisations:
Age UK: www.ageuk.org.uk
Ripon Community Link: https://www.riponcommunitylink.org/
Visuals by Mel Rye.
Researcher's Voice - Hannah (2020) by Mel RyeThe Workhouse Network
Visuals by Mel Rye.
Nicola Bradbury on Hannah Wade (2020) by Morgan TippingThe Workhouse Network
Hear retired teacher Nicola Bradbury share her experiences as a regional mentor at Ripon Union Workhouse investigating Hannah Wade's life in a research team.
Audios and animations by Morgan Tipping.
Making More Than Oliver Twist (2020) by Megan Dennis, Wednesday Batchelor, Morgan Tipping, and Mel RyeThe Workhouse Network
Explore behind the scenes of the Making of the More Than Oliver Twist exhibits.
Enormous thanks to everyone involved in the project across the six sites who made invaluable contributions through many hours of research into the biographies, and by supporting the development of the creative commission.
In this exhibit special thanks go to:
Research volunteer at Ripon Workhouse Museum Pat Wilson for relating Hannah Wade’s life.
Jo for sharing her perspective on Hannah Wade's story.
Nicola Bradbury from Ripon Workhouse Museum for sharing her insights into the research project.
Regional Contacts, Mentors and Volunteer Researchers:
Workhouse Museum and Garden, Ripon Museums Trust:
Contact: Leah Mellors
Mentor: Nicola Bradbury
Research Volunteers:
Joyce Walmsley, Judy Jones, Linda Campbell, Liz Barker , Marie-Anne Hintze, Mary Kelly and Pat Wilson.
Thanks to the ‘radio’ host Morgan Tipping introducing Hannah Wade’s story
