098-0030

Wythe County Poorhouse Farm

VLR Listing Date

12/01/1999

NRHP Listing Date

05/26/2000

NRHP Reference Number

00000557

The Wythe County Poorhouse Farm is the only surviving facility of its type in Wythe County. The nine-acre parcel contains the heart of Wythe County’s second poor farm, which operated from 1858 to 1957. Included in this complex are the overseer’s house, eight pauper dwellings, and five contributing outbuildings. In accordance with Virginia law, Wythe County in 1825 established its first poorhouse farm “and work house for receipt of poor of the county and for reforming vagrants.” After abandoning its first poorhouse farm, the county established the second poorhouse farm on 340 acres just east of Wytheville. The officials provided food, shelter, and medical care for the poor, infirm, and homeless. In an undisturbed setting with its core buildings intact, the poorhouse farm continues to tell the important story of a century of Wythe County’s care for its most unfortunate citizens.

Last Updated: June 30, 2024

Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.

Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark

For additional information Read

Nomination Form

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