What is an Almshouse?

For over a century, the local "poorhouse" served as the only safety net for the impoverished, elderly, mentally ill, orphans, unwed mothers, and disabled veterans. From 1792 to 1892, Caroline County officials had the legal authority to commit individuals to the "Poor House." Inmates were forced to wear red cloth badges marked with the letters "PC," signifying "Poor of Caroline County." 

Join us for the viewing of The Almshouse, a documentary by James Spione that sheds light on this often-overlooked American institution. The film explores the history of one such building in rural Virginia—now home to the Barrier Island Center. The Barrier Islands Center is located on the historic site of the Almshouse Farm in Machipongo, Virginia. While many Americans have heard parents or grandparents joke about "ending up in the poorhouse," few realize that the phrase stems from a very real chapter in U.S. history. Almshouses—commonly known as poorhouses—were county-run institutions that provided shelter for impoverished individuals and families before the advent of modern welfare programs.

Residents, often referred to as "inmates," included the homeless, mentally ill, orphans, and those suffering from diseases such as tuberculosis and smallpox. Those deemed physically able were expected to work: men typically labored on the farm, while women were tasked with spinning wool or performing other domestic duties.

The Almshouse Farm served as the Northampton County poorhouse for nearly 150 years, from 1804 to 1952.

Today, the Barrier Islands Center preserves this legacy through its three historically significant buildings: the original 1883 Almshouse, the 1910 African-American Almshouse, and an 1804 Quarter Kitchen.

Saturday, August 23rd at 12:00 PM
The Almshouse (29 minutes) followed by a conversation and Q&A