CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The Charleston Orphan House opened its doors to 115 children 231 years ago, marking the start of what would become a centuries-long mission to serve the area’s most vulnerable youth.
The Charleston City Council had passed an ordinance in 1790 establishing the Charleston Orphan House. The facility was originally located on the corner of Calhoun and St. Phillip Streets and served as both home and primary school for the city’s children.
After completing their education, children were partnered with local merchants, farmers and others to learn trade skills. During the Civil War, the children were temporarily moved to a women’s seminary in Orangeburg for safekeeping.
The children returned to the home on Calhoun Street two years later. The Orphan House later separated from the City of Charleston and became an independent non-profit organization as the number of children living in orphanages declined, while the number of children living in foster homes dramatically increased…