Shiloh Orphanage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Shiloh Orphanage
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Location | 1635 15th St., Augusta, Georgia |
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Area | 6.1 acres (2.5 ha) |
Built | 1936 |
Architect | Scroggs & Ewing; Drummond, Edward Lynn |
Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 96001500 |
Added to NRHP | December 30, 1996 |
The Shiloh Orphanage, now known as the Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center, was once a special home for children in Augusta, Georgia, United States. It was a place where Black children who needed care could live and learn. The property includes several important buildings like the Strong Academy school and separate dormitories for girls and boys.
The orphanage closed its doors in 1970. However, it reopened in 1977 with a new purpose as the Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center. This center helps the community in many ways. Because of its history, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 1996. This means it's an important historical place worth preserving. You can find it at 1635 15th Street in Augusta.
What Was the Shiloh Orphanage?
The Shiloh Orphanage was founded in 1902 by a group called the Shiloh Baptist Association. This association was a religious organization that wanted to help children in need. In 1904, they bought land for the orphanage near a community called Bethlehem, which was a historically Black neighborhood.
Buildings at the Orphanage
Over the years, several buildings were constructed to support the children living there:
- Strong Academy: This was a one-room schoolhouse built in 1910. It was where the younger children at the orphanage went to learn.
- Girls' Dormitory: Designed by architects Scroggs and Ewing, this building was finished in 1927. It provided living spaces for the girls.
- Boys' Dormitory: The boys' living area was designed by Edward Lynn Drummond and built in 1936.
The orphanage grounds were quite large. They even had a vegetable garden where food could be grown and an area for cattle to graze. This helped provide food for the children and staff.
Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center
After the orphanage closed in 1970, the site was given a new life. In 1977, it reopened as the Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center. A "comprehensive community center" is a place that offers many different services to help people in the local area. These centers often provide educational programs, health services, and social support. The Shiloh Center continues to serve the Augusta community today.