Hingham in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Hingham "Town Farm"
Third Almshouse
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, April 14, 2026
1. Hingham “Town Farm” Marker
Near this spot stood the third Almshouse, commonly known as the "Town Farm". Erected by the town of Hingham in 1832, it served for more than 100 years as a place of refuge for the elderly, destitute, and others whose circumstances rendered them unable to care for themselves. For Hingham's first three hundred years it was the town alone, and not the state or federal government, which bore responsibility for such persons. Often here and at two prior almshouses, residents who died had no one to see their burials. Thus scores of "inmates" were buried nearby in unmarked graves. This marker is placed in their memory.
Erected by Hingham Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 42° 14.753′ N, 70° 55.383′ W. Marker is in Hingham, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It is at the intersection of Beal Street and Sgt. William B. Terry Drive, on the right when traveling east on Beal Street. This area is now known as Lynch
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the South Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Third Almshouse (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Almshouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Great Esker Park (approx. half a mile away); Abigail Adams to John Adams, March-April 1776 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Abigail Smith Adams (approx. 0.6 miles away); Abigail Adams to John Adams, May 18, 1778 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Abigail Adams to John Adams, August 5, 1777 (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hingham.
Related markers. Click
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 3, 2026
2. Hingham "Town Farm" Marker (wide)
Hingham “Town Farm” marker boulder at Lynch Fields in foreground with white Almshouse path marker at Bare Cove Park marker in the background.
Also see . . .
1. Poor House / Poor Farms - Wikipedia.
Poorhouses were public institutions used from the seventeenth through the early twentieth centuries to provide relief for people unable to support themselves, including the elderly, the sick, people with disabilities, widows, and others. In North America—particularly in the United States and Canada—they were usually operated by local governments and often took the form of “poor farms,” where residents who were able to work were expected to contribute labor.(Submitted on April 24, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
2. The Mystery of the Beal Street Burial Tombs at Bare Cove Park.
In 1832, Hingham acquired a 43-acre parcel on Beal Street and erected it's third Almshouse. This site became known as the Town Farm. The occupants included the elderly, the infirmed, the indigent, the mentally ill, the homeless, the criminal, and the unemployed. Many of the residents of the Almshouse, as well as other Hingham citizens, died there and were buried on the property.(Submitted on April 24, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
3. Town Farm Burial Grounds - Find-a-Grave.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, April 14, 2026
3. Hingham “Town Farm” Marker
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, April 15, 2026
4. Hingham “Town Farm” Marker
at Lynch Field
at Lynch Field
At the far left in front of the flagpole.
courtesy of Hingham Historical Society
5. The Third Almshouse / Town Farm
Historical picture of the Hingham Town Farm building -- no longer standing.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 83 times since then. Last updated on May 9, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on April 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 2. submitted on June 3, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 3, 4. submitted on April 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 5. submitted on May 5, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
