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Introduction

The Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home was founded in 1865 to provide care, education and maintenance to the orphaned and destitute children of Civil War Union Army veterans. The Home is located approximately two miles south of Knightstown, Indiana on State Road 140 and consists of 419 acres that include an administration building, children's dormitory cottages, Morton Memorial School, a hospital, dairy farm, camp grounds and recreational facilities. Children from the ages of 4 to 17 are cared for with each child being eligible for vocational training or college at state expense. The Home is owned by the State of Indiana and is managed through a superintendent who reports to the State Department of Health.

The original proposal for the Home was submitted to Governor Morton by George Merritt in the summer of 1865. A prominent Indianapolis philanthropist, Merritt was the senior partner in the wool manufacturing firm of Merritt & Coughlen and a founder of Indiana National Bank. He was a member of the Society of Friends and served with the Indiana Sanitary Commission during the Civil War. As a supplier to Union Army hospitals, Merritt came into direct contact with wounded soldiers. His interest in the orphans of Civil War veterans resulted from his knowledge of dying soldier's concern for their children's welfare.

Merritt recommended attaching a children's home to the proposed Home for Disabled Soldiers and pledged $5,000.00 toward the maintenance of the children. Governor Morton considered disabled veterans the state's primary responsibility and refused to fund the children's home as too expensive. Merritt privately established the Soldier's Orphan's Home in the Military Hospital at Indianapolis with a caretaker and four orphans.

In April 1866 Merritt moved the Home to Knightstown across the street from the hotel housing the Indiana Soldier's Home. In March 1867 the State assumed control of both homes restricting residency to totally or partially disabled veterans, veteran's orphan children under the age of fifteen, children of deceased soldiers whose mothers were still living and widows of deceased soldiers. In 1871 a fire destroyed the Soldier's Home, the veterans were moved to a soldiers' home in Dayton, Ohio and the children's Home became the sole possessor of the property.

Home Administration Building, 1867-1877Home Administration Building, 1867-1877

During the late 1890's the Home's supporters grew concerned for the Home's future because the number of Civil War veterans' orphans was dwindling. With fewer children needing care the Home's demise was inevitable. The legislature was persuaded to amend the law to include all destitute children of servicemen who served on active duty in any of the authorized campaigns or declared emergencies of the United States as evidenced by an award of authorized decorations for service, an honorable discharge or a letter of mourning or death certificate. Veterans' children from all subsequent wars have been eligible for admission.

The Home underwent numerous name changes between 1865 and 1929. Originally named the Indiana Soldiers' and Seamens' Home, it was renamed in 1887 as the Indiana Soldiers' Orphans' Home. In 1879-1887 the Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children was located on the grounds of the Orphan's Home and the two organizations shared all communal facilities (dining hall, hospital, church, etc.). Complaints concerning the combination of the two Homes, particularly by veteran's organizations, led to the transfer of the Asylum to Ft. Wayne in 1887. In 1929, the Home was renamed the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Childrens' Home.

Merritt's child care plan resembled that of a private home and has remained consistent throughout the Home's existence. Children are separated into "Divisions" of 10-20 and assigned to dormitory cottages. Each cottage has one or two caretakers who serve as foster parents. Children are responsible for the maintenance of their living areas and are encouraged to participate in discussions concerning the problems of group living.

The Home's educational and recreational curriculum expanded as more land and facilities became available. Morton Memorial School began as a four room schoolhouse, but was quickly filled beyond capacity with newly admitted orphans. Two schools were destroyed by fire in 1887 and 1891. The present building was erected in 1927 with the final building addition in 1937. The school offers a public school curriculum for grades K-12 with school clubs and sports teams similar to those offered at public schools.

Home Football team, 1896Home Football team, 1896

Morton "Tigers" Baseball Team, 1937Morton "Tigers" Baseball Team, 1937

From the beginning the school has emphasized vocational training. Children are expected to learn a trade and usually receive certification in their trade upon graduation. Students are also encouraged to pursue college.

Cooking School ca.1900

Graduation 1900

The Home provides children with many recreational opportunities. The campus contains a skating rink, swimming pool, movie theater and a recreation building. Children are allowed one week of summer vacation at the Home's campgrounds and field trips and other special events offer opportunities for leaving the campus.

The length of a child's placement has varied as society's views of institutions and child care have altered. Children typically spent several years at the Home and to promote adaptation to the group environment, parents and relatives were allowed few visits. In 1903 the legislature passed an Act allowing the Home's superintendent to hire an agent for the purpose of securing foster homes for some of the children. The purpose was to place children, who were unable to adjust to group living, in a traditional family environment. In recent years, children's families have been urged to resolve the problems which created the need for institutionalizing the child, so that children may return to their families as quickly as possible.

The Home has derived consistent support from several veteran's organizations. The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was the first organization to fund special events for the children. The G.A.R. and its women's auxiliary provided private funds for Christmas presents, parties and special events such as presents for the graduating High School Seniors. After WWI, the American Legion supported programs such as Legion Day and division sponsors. Each Division is sponsored by a Legion Post, Auxiliary Unit or District who provide luxury and miscellaneous items as well as parties and field trips the children would otherwise not receive.

An Alumni Association, founded in 1892 remains active in the affairs of the Home. They sponsor activities for the children and meet once a year at the Home for a reunion. In 1906 the Home Journal, the school's monthly magazine, began the "Alumni Column" as an avenue for ex-pupils to exchange general interest and personal information.

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