View archival description

Collection RC5/6 - Lewis Combination Poorhouse / Coulregrein House, Lewis, Scotland
Reports

Identity area

Reference code

GB3002 RC5/6

Title

Lewis Combination Poorhouse / Coulregrein House, Lewis, Scotland

Date(s)

  • 1893-1970 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

15 volumes

Context area

Name of creator

Lewis Combination Poorhouse (1893-1930)

Administrative history

The Lewis Combination was established in 1893 comprising of the parish of Barvas, Lochs, Stornoway and Uig. A poorhouse, designed by James M Thompson of Edinburgh, was built at Coulregrein on the outskirts of Stornoway between 1894 and 1896. The two story building could accommodate 66 inmates with each parish being allocated a specific number of beds reflecting their financial investment in the institution. Stornoway was the biggest contributor. Inmates were referred to the poorhouse by the individuals Parishes who had responsibility for their own poor.
In 1911, the poorhouse was licensed to provide accommodation for patients suffering from mental illness who otherwise were transferred to Inverness.
In 1930, the Poor Law system was abolished. The poorhouse was managed by the Coulregrein House Sub-Committee of Management who reported to Ross & Cromarty County Council, closely linked to the Public Assistance Committee of Lewis District Council.
The house continued until into the 1960s, predominantly caring for the elderly. It was demolished c1990.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Internal transfer from Museum nan Eilean (Accn 2011-13)

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Minutes 1893-1970; registers 1897-1968; sick roll 1900-1955; diet book 1934-1952; visiting committee reports 1926-1962; garden crop rotation book 1941-1967; financial records1940-1968

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Arranged into series. Within series, items are arranged chronologically.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open. Some records containing personal data are closed for 100 years from the last date in the volume.

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Paper volumes

Finding aids

Digital and paper item level list available in searchroom of Tasglann nan Eilean Siar

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

GB3002 RC5/1 Records of Barvas Parish Council 1884-1930 (held by Tasglann nan Eilean Siar)

GB3002 RC5/2 Records of Lochs Parish Council 1890-1930 (held by Tasglann nan Eilean Siar)

GB3002 RC5/3 Records of Stornoway Parish Council 1845-1943 (held by Tasglann nan Eilean Siar)

GB3002 RC5/4 Records of Uig Parish Council 1885-1930 (held by Tasglann nan Eilean Siar)

GB3002 RC5/5 Records of Lewis Public Assistance Joint Committee 1930-1975 (held by Tasglann nan Eilean Siar)

Notes area

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Rights area

Accession area

Actions