City Life 100 Years Ago

This exhibition explores lifestyles of Wakefield people 100 years ago. What their homes looked like, what expectations they had, and the changes that were taking place around them.

In 1905, most wealthy families and all poor families lived in terraced houses, which they rented from private landlords.  The rich lived in South Parade or St John’s Square, and probably hoped to move to a detached house in Sandal.  The poor lived in the streets off Northgate and Kirkgate, and probably hoped to move to a better terraced house in Agbrigg or off Dewsbury Road.

Low-income homes were overcrowded, bare and poorly furnished.  Middle-income homes were full of pattern, colour and ornament, and there were plenty of books offering decorating advice.  All Edwardian homes were dimly lit, cold and draughty compared with today.  Not surprisingly, Edwardians wore many layers of bulky clothes.

Today, school is a place where children learn. In 1905 it was all about being trained for work.  Most Edwardians started full-time work at 14, 13 or even 12.

Explore this exhibition, and find out more about life in Wakefield one hundred years ago.