Almshouses in Maryland



Almshouses were established as charitable housing for the elderly in Maryland. Conditions were generally quite poor due to the lack of care and funding. Almshouses fell into disuse and were discontinued in Maryland in the 20th century.

Almshouse farms in the Delmarva Peninsula
Somerset County, Worcester County and Machipongo are three areas almshouses used to be located in. Almshouses were a place for "poverty ridden elderly who lacked relatives or friends". They were a place of last resort for many, also referred to as "poor houses". There was a major lack of care; they were run by counties with little funding. Historic homes were purchased and then turned into almshouses. They were given a yearly sum of $4,000. This money was the only funding given and had to help keep the inmates alive for the year. Many Almshouses were in old mansions or large houses". C. William Chancellor explored the Almshouses and reported "whoever enters here leaves hope behind".

Conditions of almshouses
Almshouses did not have the best conditions according to Levin A. Seabrease, who was interviewed by Orlando Wooten at the Daily Times. There were multiple occasions when an old inmate who was staying there at the time would die and the rest of the inmates would have to bury the deceased man. According to Seabrease there were about 18 to 22 residents, with half being black and half being white, described as "backwards" or "retarded". Many people residing in the Almshouses were found to have cancer that went untreated. In the 1850/60 census, the Almshouses inmates were described as "insane, poor, lame, deaf, dumb, idiotic, blind".

Later history
Almshouses were eventually closed. In the early 20th century the almshouses were vacant for the first time since 1871. Once vacant they awaited sale at public auctions. The homes would soon return to being places for families to live. Many "inmates" who were left were sent to the Eastern Shore Hospital Center located in Cambridge. Here there were better conditions and treatment for the patients.