Blockley Almshouse – 1847 Philadelphia African-American Census

What is an Almshouse?

Almshouses are charitable housing for less fortunate people in a community. They are also known as poorhouses or hospitals. People who may find themselves in an almshouse may be unemployed, sick, widowed, and/or living in other impoverished circumstances.

In the 1830s and 1840s, many free Black Philadelphians were coming in an out of the Blockley Almshouse in search of resources and care they otherwise did not have access to.

The Blockley Almshouse has plenty more history and eventually became the Philadelphia General Hospital.