The Public Health Museum in Massachusetts is housed in the Old Administration Building on the grounds of Tewksbury Hospital.

The hospital was established in 1852 as one of three state almshouses needed to help care for the unprecedented influx of immigrants into Massachusetts at that time. The almshouses were the Commonwealth's first venture into caring for the poor, a duty which had previously been carried out by the cities and towns.

Opened on May 1, 1854 with a capacity for 500, the almshouse population grew to 668 by the end of the first week, and to over  800 by May 20th.  By December 2, 1854, 2,193 "paupers" had been admitted. Nearly 90% of these listed European countries as their birthplace. 

The almshouse reported having 14 employees at that time, and was spending 94.5 cents per week per resident.