Dexter Asylum

Dexter Asylum, established in 1828 in Providence, Rhode Island, served as a poor farm for the elderly and mentally ill, providing a humane alternative to street begging. Funded by Ebenezer Knight Dexter's bequest, the facility included a working farm where residents, primarily unemployed immigrants, contributed to its self-sufficiency. The asylum featured a notable stone wall, built to specifications in Dexter's will, which became a local legend. However, as societal views on poverty evolved, the asylum's relevance diminished, leading to its closure and eventual demolition in 1957 for Brown University's athletic complex. Today, remnants of the wall still stand, offering a glimpse into the past of this once vital institution.