Poorhouses were at one time a staple in many New York communities. At once the embodiment of society’s benevolence toward the less fortunate and the place where man’s darker side sometimes flourished, poorhouses and the poorhouse movement have much to teach us. This talk, presented by Richard Heyl de Ortiz, explores what poorhouses were, how they developed, who they were meant to serve, who they really benefited and what social forces led to their creation and their changing over time.

This program, which is free and open to the public, is made possible through the support of the New York Council for the Humanities’ Public Scholars program. Registration is appreciated but not required.
 

Image: New York Almshouse, credited to: New York Public Library Digital Collections