Boston Female Asylum facts for kids
The Boston Female Asylum was a special home in Boston, Massachusetts, that cared for girls who didn't have parents (orphans). It operated from 1800 to 1910. Its main goal was to welcome, protect, and teach young girls until they turned 10 years old. After that, they would be placed with good families.
History of the Asylum
The Boston Female Asylum officially started in 1803. Hannah Stillman was its first leader. Many important women helped create the asylum. These included Sarah Bowdoin, Elizabeth Perkins, and Mary Hubbard. At that time, there were not many charities in Boston. The asylum was one of the few places helping people, besides the city's poorhouse. It was also special because it was run by a group of women.
Many people supported the asylum. One early helper was Robert Treat Paine Jr.. They held yearly events to raise money. For example, in 1803, they had a special event at Trinity Church. It included a speech, a song written for the day, and music. After this event, local newspapers reported that they had raised over $500, which was a lot of money back then!
The orphanage moved a few times. Around 1807, it was on South Street. By 1823, it moved to Essex Street. From the 1840s, it was located on Washington Street. By 1873, the asylum was caring for between 70 and 80 children. Its yearly costs were about $11,000 to $12,000. Most of this money came from special funds, and some from yearly donations.
Around 1902, the people running the asylum started to believe that children were better off in families than in a large institution. So, they slowly changed how they worked. By 1907, the asylum building closed. They focused entirely on finding family homes for the children.
In 1910, the organization changed its name to the Boston Society for the Care of Girls. Later, it joined with other groups. In 1923, it merged with the Boston Children's Aid Society to form the Children's Aid Association. Even later, in 1960, this group merged again to become Boston Children's Services. Today, after more mergers, this work is part of The Home for Little Wanderers. This organization helps many children and families in Massachusetts.
Locations in Boston
- South Street (around 1807)
- 62 Essex St. (around 1823)
- Washington St., corner Asylum St. (around 1844-1857); 750 Washington St. (around 1873); 1008 Washington St. (around 1904)
Other Names Used
- Asylum for Female Orphans
- Boston Female Asylum for Orphans
- Boston Female Society for Destitute Orphans
- Female Orphan Asylum
