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Page 110         Biennial Report of the State Board
                    of Corrections and Charities
                               1875

                               KENT

     This poor-house is quite pleasantly located on a farm not
  far from the city of Grand Rapids.  The farm is well worked,
  and is watered by a small stream running through it.  The
  only small fruits raised are strawberries, of which there is
  quite a good bed.  There is an orchard also, and a vegetable
  garden.  Shade-trees have been put out, but there are but few
  that have attained to any size about the premises.  The build-
  ings, which are generally warmed by stoves, are poor; but an
  extra building put on the west end is new and good, and one
  called the "Fool's House", is good.  The keeper and his lady
  are Hollanders, and are active, energetic people.
     The wife of the keeper has no help save such as she gets
  from the paupers, and she manages to make all the inmates
  who are able do something.  All the clothing is made by
  the paupers, under her supervision, and so is all the mending.
  The wood for the institution has all been prepared by the

  ----------------------------------------------------------------

  inmates.  The house seemed to be frequently scrubbed and
  often white-washed.  There were in the house eight idiots and
  sixteen insane persons, but none of them are dangerous.  One
  blind girl has been at the Asylum at Flint, and is to be taken
  there again.  The sleeping-rooms are generally too small, some
  of the cells having no windows, but only small openings,
  which must make the cells cold, and afford insufficient light
  at times.

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Abstract of the Reports
Superintendents of the Poor
State of Michigan, 1892

Page  40-41

        Kent. - The poorhouse is located in the township of Paris, six
     miles east of the city of Grand Rapids.  The farm consists of 146
     acres of land, all improved.  Barns are in good condition, the house
     is old.  An appropriation has been made by the board of supervisors
     for a new building.  Amount appropriated, $25,000.  Facilities for
     bathing, bath room.  Buildings are warmed by wood and coal stoves.
     Ventilated by transoms over doors and windows, one building ventilated
     by the Ruttan system.  The paupers are treated kindly and humanely.
     Disorderly and disobedient ones are confined in cells.  Food consists
     of beef, pork, fish, milk, butter, coffee, tea, sugar and all kinds of
     vegetables raised on the farm.  Clothing is of woolen and cotton, ac-
     cording to season.  All are comfortably clothed.  The sick are attend-
     ed by county physician when necessary, also proper nourishment and
     nursing is furnished.  The insane and idiotic are kept in separate
     building warmed by coal stove and well ventilated.  The building con-
     tains bath rooms, and cells to be used for the violently insane.  As
     no children are kept in poorhouse for any length of time no provision
     is made for their education.

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Page 140          Biennial Report of the State Board
                    of Corrections and Charities
                               1907

                               KENT

        Infirmary six and a half miles from Grand Rapids.  A two story
     brick building.  There are two detached buildings; one a laundry; the
     other a mortuary, large enough for chapel on funeral occasions.  The
     house is designated happily as "Kent County Home" by a stone tablet
     over the entrance door; is heated with steam; well ventilated and
     lighted and well equipped with bathing facilities; has good water sup-
     ply and sewerage; is supplied with hospital wards and chapel; a system
     of electric bells serves for night-calls by inmates to keeper.

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