Orphan Society of Lexington records, 1895-1978, 1895-1971 (bulk dates)
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Orphan Society of Lexington records, 1895-1978, 1895-1971 (bulk dates)
- Creator
- Orphan Society of Lexington (Ky.)
- Extent
- 2 reels of microfilm (10 volumes, 12 pieces)
- Subjects
- Alexander, Virginia, d. 1912.
- Clay, Annie Gratz.
- Cronley, S. B.
- Gratz, Benjamin, 1792-1884.
- Gratz, Maria C.
- Richardson, Syna.
- Sayre, Abby V.
- Ward, Sarah.
- Lexington Orphan Asylum (Ky.)
- Orphan Society of Lexington (Ky.)
- Orphanages--Kentucky--Lexington.
- Orphans--Kentucky--Lexington.
- Women--Kentucky--Lexington--Societies and clubs.
- Women in charitable work.
- Lexington (Ky.)--History.
- Inventories.
- Minutes
- Arrangement
- Organized: Miscellaneous material, Board of Managers minutes, Book of inventories, Visiting books; arrangement of each material type is chronological.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The Orphan Society of Lexington was formed in 1833 to operate the Lexington Orphan Asylum, founded to provide for children orphaned during the cholera epidemic of that year. It was run by a Board of Managers consisting of twenty-four women, whose numbers included "members of each Protestant Church in Lexington" and who were drawn from some of the most prominent families of the city. Benjamin Gratz was a moving force behind the forming of the asylum and the Society. The first meeting of the Society was held October 16, 1833, and the officers elected were Abby V. Sayre, first directress (president); Syna Richardson, second directress (vice president); Maria C. Gratz (Benjamin's wife), secretary; and Sarah Ward, treasurer. In 1834, the Society was incorporated by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly. The orphans' home was located first on Third Street, then, in 1907, it was moved to West Short Street.
- Scope and Content
- This is a collection on microfilm of the records of the Orphan Society of Lexington. Miscellaneous papers include a "Historical sketch of the Lexington Orphan Asylum," written by Annie G. Clay for the Society's annual report in 1912. Also included is a copy of the act by which the Society was incorporated. Minutes from the Board of Managers' monthly meetings cover the period from May 7, 1895 to November 6, 1945 inclusively, then skip to June 8, 1971 through December 4, 1973. Included among the minutes are lists, of the Managers, of committees and their members, and of orphans. Tributes to esteemed deceased members, including Virgina Alexander and S.B. Cronley, are frequently found among the minutes as well. The book of inventories covers the period 1922-1925 only. The visiting books date from February 6, 1896 to July 25, 1915, then skip to January 15, 1970-January 20, 1971.
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Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
