A history of poor houses in Nova Scotia, the laws governing them, the people who lived and worked in them, their treatment, and some events of note. This 2nd edition includes new chapters on the auctioning off of the poor, children in poor houses, women in poor houses, the harmless insane, seniors on poor farms, and stories of poor house inmates. It also includes more information on the poor houses enumerated in the book and more images of the Province's poor houses.

Brenda Thompson has been an anti-poverty activist and writer for more than 30 years. She holds a BA in Women's Studies from MSVU and a masters degree in Sociology from Acadia University. As a former “welfare mother? and lifetime low wage earner, she has lived withpoverty issues firsthand. Her first book, The Single Mothers? Survival Guide for Nova Scotia is in its 6th edition. Recipient of a Leadership Award from the Atlantic Centre of Excellence in Women's Health, Brenda was also the subject of several national news and documentary stories during the 1980s and 1990s. Brenda is a past vice-president of the national Ottawa based organization Canada Without Poverty. Living in the Annapolis Royal area for more than 20 years, she has discovered her passion for local history.

This book is a combination of both of Brenda's passions. Brenda lives with her husband, daughters and parents in the beautiful and historic Annapolis Royal area of Nova Scotia.

Brenda Thompson's profile page