MAIN BUILDING

1790

Orphanhouse1790

The Orphan House stood at 160 Calhoun Street on the site of Revolutionary War barracks.  Designed by Thomas Bennet (5), the structure was officially occupied on October 18, 1794.   The plans describe the building as having "a center 40 x 40, the wings 65 by 30 feet each. The foundation to the first floor, to the top of the floor, 2.5 bricks high, 3 bricks thick. The first story 10 feet high, 2.5 bricks. The second Story 15 feet high, 2.5 bricks. The third story 13 feet, 2 bricks. And the fourth story 10 feet high, 2 brick." The building's "South Front [was]...250 feet from Boundary Street [Calhoun Street], 24 feet Northward of the House to be enclosed as a yard, and the remainder a kitchen garden, the South front to be laid out in walks to be determined by the Commissioners."  Brickwork was done by Anthony Toomer and Cannon and Bennett performed the carpentry work.


1850

Charlestonorphanhouse1950rev

Due to the increase in the number of children cared for by the Institution, the building was completely remodeled in 1852. Designed by the firm of Jones and Lee, (9) the building was described as being "on the Italian style...236 feet long by 76 feet wide. The main building is five stories high, including the portion being surmounted by a pediment and with wings rising the whole height of the building, perforated on the several stories by windows with characteristic embellishments. The building is surmounted by a Mansard roof, the attic windows projecting from the first slope of the roof, with moulded pediments. Above the roof of the central section of the front rises the belfry, constructed for the city alarm bell. This belfry is supported by an octagonal stage, the center of which arises the main cupola, being two stories high; on the first story there are four porticoes of Corinthian columns with rustic blocks, surmounted by entableture and pediment. The second story is perforated on the four sides, in which is suspended the alarm bell.

This stage is surmounted by a square dome, which supports a figure of Charity."  Other local companies who worked on the renovation were Louis Rebb, Contractor and Carpenter; G.W. Bushy, Bricklayer; W. H. Gruver, Plasterer; W.T. White, Stonecutter; W.S. Henerey, Cast Iron Work; Horton and Parks, Tinner and Plumber; T. Newel, Gas Fitter; J.U. Boesch, Coppersmith; Wm. Arnot, painter; James Cook, Steam Fitter; J.M. Eason & Bro., Engine Maker; R. Wing, Bell Hanger and J.M. Mulvany, Slater.

MAIN BUILDING COMPOSITION

MainBuilding
  • Basement (ground floor) contains four dining room, two play rooms, store room, three chambers, kitchen, laundry, engine room, and two plunge baths.
  •  Second floor contains vestibule, hall or records, school rooms, sewing departments, officer’s apartments chambers for high school boys and advanced girls.
  •  Third floor contains Board of Commissioner’s rooms, assembly room, library, four dormitories, wash rooms, and chambers for nurses.
  •   Fourth floor contains five dormitories, wash rooms, and chambers for nurses
  • Fifth (attic) floor contains hospitals, convalescent rooms, quarantine apartment, lazaretto, and apothecaries’ apartments, chambers for nurses, bathrooms, prisons, chambers for officers not accommodated in the lower stories and store rooms.



BOARD ROOM
3RD FLOOR

Studyhall

STUDY HALL
2ND FLOOR




Dining Room

DINING ROOM
BASEMENT (GROUND FLOOR)