1837
Rochester is becoming an overgrown village and has increasing numbers of children needing care. Responding to the problem is a small group of women who form the Rochester Female Association for the Relief of Orphans and Destitute Children. This group rents a house on Corn Hill and admits nine children from the local almshouse.
Rochester Almshouse - Life and Death in Nineteenth Century Rochester, pages 13 – 16.
Cholera - Civic Development of Rochester’s First Half Century 1817 – 1867, page 11.
The History
of Rochester Public Health, pages 4-9.
1838 The orphanage is incorporated and is known as the
Rochester Orphan Asylum. The governing of the agency is done by two groups--
the Board of Lady Managers and the Board of Trustees (all men). Just two
years after its inception, the asylum outgrows its quarters and moves to a
roomier facility at 19 Adams Street. Here the agency is able to care for up
to 50 children.
Historic Origins of Rochester’s Social Welfare Agencies, page 5.
1839
John Greig, of Canandaigua, donates an acre and a half, fronting Hubbel Park. This extends the location to Greig and Exchange Street. Alonzo Frost plants the acreage with shade trees and Hiram Sibley provides a fence.
1844
Central building in Hubbel Park is occupied, beginning the 61 years the agency is located here. In later years the need to expand continues as east and west wings are added. The east wing is constructed for children under two years of age, with bathrooms in the basement for the older children. Later, the west wing is added with financial support from the state legislature.
