Heli Meltsner’s book The Poorhouses of Massachusetts: A Cultural and Architectural History is wonderfully researched and written book. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the treatment of the poor in Massachusetts as provided by the local community and state government. Meltsner thoroughly covers major aspects of Massachusetts Poorhouse history, as shown in her table of contents:
- The English Heritage and Early Massachusetts Welfare
- Poorhouse, Workhouse and Almshouse (1660-1821)
- The Town Farm Initiative and Town-State Dance (18220-1862)
- The Town Farm Organization and Experience
- From Almshouse to Infirmary: 1863-the Present
- The Architecture of Municipal Building for Paupers
- Tramps and Tramphouses
- The Surviving Almshouses and Infirmaries Erected by Cities and Towns.
I have tracked down the existence of roughly 10 tramp houses still existing in NH as of 2015. They are in Kingston, Fremont, Barnstead, Epsom, Candia, Grafton, Lyme, etc. They are a fascinating and nearly forgotten aspect of New England History. I plan to include Tramp Houses as part of a book I am writing on forgotten history in Southeastern NH.
I am in the process of compiling a history on the Northampton Almshouse and would love to know if you had any references I could look for.