Massachusetts. State Workhouse (Bridgewater, Mass.)

Hide Profile

Bridgewater, Mass., was the site successively of a State Almshouse (1854-1872) for so-called willing and needlessly dependent paupers, and the State Workhouse (1866-1887), for paupers convicted of misdemeanors as well as paupers generally (from 1872), and incorrigible juveniles (1869-1948). The State Workhouse was renamed the State Farm (1887-1955), which also included a State Farm Hospital for the medical needs of all inmates, as well as locals and poor admitted solely for medical treatment. The change in name was in deference to the admission of insane male paupers (1886), although it was followed by the admission of aged and physically or mentally infirm inmates of the State Prison (1890). Insane admissions were then limited for a time to criminals (1894), forming a division called the State Asylum for Insane Criminals (1895), which was renamed Bridgewater State Hospital (1909). Units at Bridgewater were later added for female prisoners (1909-1930), so-called defective delinquents (males from 1922, females 1926-1954)--mentally impaired inmates requiring segregation from standard inmate or institutionalized populations--and for drug and alcohol addicts (from 1922, females to 1930 only), eventually mostly voluntary admissions. All Bridgewater State Farm facilities and divisions (including prison, almshouse, insane, and medical hospital functions) were administered by a common superintendent. The running of the State Farm, including industries and extensive agricultural operations, relied on work performed by all capable inmates.

From the description of State Almshouse/State Workhouse expense journal, 1854-1883. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 476253799

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Massachusetts. State Workhouse (Bridgewater, Mass.). State Almshouse/State Workhouse expense journal, 1854-1883. Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Massachusetts
Massachusetts--Bridgewater
Subject
Alms houses
Workhouses
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1854

Active 1883

Related Descriptions
Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6z93sjf

Ark ID: w6z93sjf

SNAC ID: 33797714