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SYNOPSIS
The Charleston Orphan House,
the oldest municipal orphanage in the United States, was
established by act of City Council on 18 October 1790,
"for the purpose of supporting and educating poor orphan
children, and those of poor, distressed and disabled
parents who are unable to support and maintain them." A
board of twelve commissioners elected annually by City
Council governed the institution, while a paid staff
administered its day-to-day operations. The Orphan House
was funded by a public endowment consisting of annual
appropriations from City Council, returns on investments,
and charitable donations and bequests.Although the Orphan House was officially created in 1790, the institution was housed in temporary quarters for nearly four years. The cornerstone of the new Orphan House, occupying the block bordered by Calhoun, King, Vanderhorst, and St. Philip’s Streets, was laid in 1792, and the building formally opened in 1794. The institution remained at that site, with numerous additions and improvements, for nearly one hundred and fifty years. In the early 1950s the mission of the Charleston Orphan House took a new direction. The city sold the Orphan House property on the corner of Calhoun and St. Philip Streets in 1951, and the Orphan House itself was demolished. The name was changed to Oak Grove at that time, and the facilities were moved to North Charleston. In addition, the institution also began admitting non-orphaned, emotionally disturbed children. In 1978 the City of Charleston removed itself from the direct involvement with the Oak Grove facility, and Oak Grove became a private, non-profit institution known as Carolina Youth Development Center. |
ESTABLISHMENT |
EDUCATION SYSTEM |
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