What was a poorhouse?

A poorhouse, also known as a workhouse or almshouse, was a institution established in the 18th and 19th centuries to provide shelter and basic care for the impoverished, elderly, and homeless. Residents typically worked in exchange for food and lodging, often under harsh conditions. Poorhouses were part of a broader system of welfare that aimed to manage poverty, but they often faced criticism for their treatment of the residents. With the advent of modern social welfare systems, the use of poorhouses declined significantly.