Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge, National historic site in Centre Wellington, Canada.
The Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge features a two-story stone structure situated on a hill beside the Grand River in Ontario.
Built between 1876 and 1877, this poorhouse provided shelter and basic living accommodations for homeless and destitute individuals in Wellington County until 1971.
The institution required residents to perform domestic or agricultural labor in exchange for housing, illustrating early government involvement in Canadian social welfare.
The building now functions as the Wellington County Museum and Archives, offering exhibits about local history and the evolution of social services.
A cemetery established in 1888 contains 271 graves of former residents, preserving the memory of those who lived at this early Canadian poorhouse.
Location: Centre Wellington
GPS coordinates: 43.69307,-80.39977
Latest update: March 3, 2025 03:06
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