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Workhouse, Blackwells Island, New York, USA
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Workhouse, Blackwells Island, New York, USA
The workhouse on Blackwells Island, New York, USA. The workhouse provided a punitive regime for petty offenders who were required to labour during their stay. The island, alternatively known as Welfare Island and Roosevelt Island, also housed a penitentiary, a poorhouse, a city hospital, a smallpox hospital, and the New York Lunatic Asylum. View from the Queensborough Bridge with Midtown New York in the distance. Date: circa 1910s
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Media ID 23036332
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Asylum Blackwells Chrysler Lunatic Manhattan Queensboro Skyscrapers Smallpox Welfare Workhouse Poorhouse
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EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "A Punitive Haven on Blackwells Island: Workhouse and Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA, Circa 1910s" This evocative photograph captures the Workhouse on Blackwells Island, an essential yet often overlooked chapter in the history of New York City. Situated in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, the island was a hub for various institutions, including a penitentiary, a poorhouse, a city hospital, a smallpox hospital, and the New York Lunatic Asylum. In the foreground, the Workhouse stands out as a formidable structure, its imposing walls and barbed-wire fence reflecting the punitive regime for petty offenders who were required to labor during their stay. The workhouse's presence on the island was part of a larger effort to reform and rehabilitate, but the conditions were often harsh and inhumane. The photograph also showcases the stunning contrast between the past and the present. In the background, the iconic Manhattan skyline emerges, with the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building towering over the cityscape. The Queensboro Bridge, then known as the Queensborough Bridge, connects Queens and Manhattan, adding to the sense of transformation and progress. Blackwells Island, alternatively known as Welfare Island and Roosevelt Island, has a rich and complex history. Its institutions served diverse populations, reflecting the social and economic realities of the time. Today, the island is a symbol of resilience and renewal, with a thriving community and a focus on mental health and well-being. This photograph offers a unique glimpse into the past, providing a poignant reminder of the island's history and the ever-evolving nature of New York City.
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