Bedford County Alms House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bedford County Alms House
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cumberland Road, .4 miles (0.64 km) south of Bedford, Bedford Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 9.7 acres (3.9 ha) |
| Built | 1872-1873, 1899, 1900 |
| Architect | Simon, L.M. |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002378 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1988 |
The Bedford County Alms House, also known as the Bedford County Home, is a special historic place in Bedford Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. It is a former almshouse, which was a place where people who needed help could live. Today, it is part of a national historic district. This means the area has important buildings that tell us about the past.
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What Was an Almshouse?
An almshouse was a building that offered shelter and care to people who were poor or sick. It was a place for those who could not support themselves. The Bedford County Alms House served this purpose for many years. It provided a home for people in need.
Buildings of the Historic District
The historic district includes six important buildings. The main building is the Alms House itself, built between 1872 and 1873. There is also an infirmary building from 1899, which was like a small hospital. A laundry building was added in 1900. The site also has a storage shed and two barns. These other buildings were built between the early 1900s and about 1950.
A Look at the Main Building
The Alms House is a large building made of brick. It has four stories. The building is very wide, with 13 sections across the front. It has a special type of roof called a hipped roof. A central tower stands tall in the middle of the building. This tower has porches, adding to its unique look.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
The Bedford County Alms House stopped being used in 1978. Ten years later, in 1988, it was recognized as a very important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect the building and its history for future generations.
