Epworth Post Office built in the style of Dutch architecture. There are many examples across the Isle of Axholme of Dutch architecture. This is due to the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden who was commissioned in 1626 by King Charles 1 to drain the region. He brought across many Dutch workers to help him undertake this work. They were met with fierce resistance from many of the local residence of the Isle. Henry Vavasour of Temple Belwood lost most of his wealth fighting an unsuccessful legal battle to stop the area being drained. In 1651 residents attacked a settlement of Vermuydens workers at Sandtoft. Over a 10-day period they destroyed 52 houses, barns, stables, outhouses, and windmills as well as vandalising the Church. Residents relied on the area’s rivers and bogs for their livelihoods and were concerned of the impact draining the area would have. Despite this when the Isle was drained many of the Dutch workers took up residence in the villages. Their impact can be seen in some of the lasting architecture.
Image courtesy of the North Lincolnshire Museum service.
