What is an Almshouse?

For more than a century, the local "poorhouse" served as the sole 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 bearing the letters "PC," standing for "Poor of Caroline County." Join us for the documentary The Almshouse, a James Spione film that sheds light on this often-overlooked American institution. The film uncovers the story of one such building in a rural Virginia community—now home to the Barrier Island Center.