Historic Pelham Blog Archive
August 29, 2007

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BOOK:  "THOMAS PELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM).  CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY! LEARN MORE.

In 1866, the Wartburg Orphans' Farm School opened. Founded by Evangelical Lutherans of New York, it provided orphaned children with a home and an education. The school taught trades such as farming, printing and homemaking. The school acquired about two hundred acres of land near the Pelham border and slowly developed a major complex that has continued to serve the community for the last 140 years -- today as The Wartburg Adult Care Community.

Below is a map published by G. W. Bromley & C0. in 1914 that shows the grounds of the Wartburg Orphans' Farm School.

In 1869, the School began construction of one of the principal buildings on its grounds. A brief article in the July 22, 1869 issue of the New York Times described the construction efforts. The text of the article appears below.

"The Orphan Farm School at East Chester.

The Evangelical Lutherans of New-York, who recently purchased about two hundred acres of land in the town of East Chester, near Pelhamville, and the buildings thereon, for an orphan farm school, are preparing to erect a fine stone building 75 feet long by 50 wide, three stories high, with Mansard roof and basement. The contract for the work has been awarded to Messrs. WM. LE ROY and FREDERICK OPPENDICK. Digging for the foundation has already been commenced."

Source: The Orphan Farm School at East Chester, N.Y. Times, Jul. 22, 1869, p. 8, col. 4.

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/
Click here to see a single index of all Historic Pelham Blog Postings to date.

posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:46 AM Comment

Click Here To View the Actual Blog Posting for August 29, 2007.

Home |  Articles |  Bibliography |  Biographies |  E-books |  Ghosts/Legends |  Links |  Maps
Memorials |  Pelham in Court |  Photo Catalog |  Place Names |  Postcards |  Societies |  Timeline
Virtual Tour |  Contact Us

© 2003-2007 Blake A. Bell. All Rights Reserved.

Designed by Internetcomealive, Inc.
Web Design, Hosting, Consulting