Almshouse (Stoneham, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Almshouse
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 136 Elm St., Stoneham, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1852 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Stoneham MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002464 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1984 |
The Almshouse is a special historic building in Stoneham, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1852. This building is one of the few of its kind still standing in the Greater Boston area. Today, it is part of the Stoneham Senior Center. The Almshouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it is an important place worth protecting.
What is the Stoneham Almshouse?
The old Stoneham Almshouse is located in eastern Stoneham. It is close to the town of Wakefield. You can find it on the north side of Elm Street.
How the Almshouse Looks
This building is two and a half stories tall. It is made of wood and has a pointed roof. The outside walls are covered with clapboards. These are long, thin boards that overlap. The building sits on a strong granite foundation. It has a simple, practical design. You can see a bit of the Greek Revival style near the main entrance. This style was popular for buildings in the 1800s.
Inside, the building has a central hallway. This design was a bit old-fashioned for the time it was built. Over the years, more parts have been added to the sides and back of the original building.
History of the Almshouse Building
The Almshouse was built in 1852. Its main purpose was to help adults in town who needed a place to live. These were people who might not have had a home or enough money. This was the second building of its kind in Stoneham. It is now one of the very few left in the whole region.
The land around the Almshouse used to be much bigger. It started as about 17 acres. But over time, parts of the land were sold off. Now, only two acres remain. However, the long driveway that leads to the building is still there.
In the 20th century, the building was used as a nursing home. Today, it serves as the town's senior center. This means it is still a place where older adults can gather and find support.
