Montana Orphanages

 

Montana Orphanages

 

Below is a list Montana private institutions. The researcher must note that the Montana Historical Society Research Center does not hold these institutions records, for additional information regarding these records please contact Laura Taffs at Department of Public Health and Human Services Child and Family Services at (406)444-5919.

 

• Bozeman Nursey--Bozeman

Origin: The Bozeman or Beall Nursery had been in operation for many years and is probably and outgrowth of a Works Progress Administration Nursery which was once maintained in Bozeman. During the war years the nursery was maintained with financial assistance from the Federal Government. When that support was withdrawn, the city and local organizations assumed the responsibilities for the nursery. The Nursery School was incorporated in April 1949. The Nursery School's purpose was to provide supervised care and group experience for small children whose parents must be away from home during the working day.

 

• Florence Crittenton Home--Helena

Origin: Charles N. Crittenton began one of the greatest philanthropic movements of all time when he established the Florence Crittenton Homes. On April 19, 1883 the first Florence Crittenton Mission opened its doors at 29 Beecker Street, New York City. This was the first philanthropic organization ever chartered by a special act of congress. The Helena Home was incorporated on June 12, 1900. The Helena Home is licensed by the State of Montana "To conduct and maintain an institutional and maternity foster home for a maximum of thirty-five girls and fifteen babies at 22 Jefferson, city of Helena, county of Lewis and Clark, State of Montana."

 

• Montana Children's Home and Hospital and Shodair Crippled Children's Hospital--Helena

Origin: In 1897 under the laws of the State Montana this institution was incorporated as the Montana Home Finding Society. In 1930 the name was changed to the Montana Children's Home and Hospital, and in March 1938 the Shodair Crippled Children's Home and Hospital was opened in connection with the Montana Home and Hospital. The Montana Children's Home and Hospital and the Shodair Crippled Children's Hospital have integrated an administration. Its purpose is to provide child welfare service to homeless, dependent, neglected, and orphaned children, including placing children in foster homes and for adoption.

 

• Montana Deaconess School--Helena

Origin: The Montana Deaconess School was incorporated under the laws of the State of Montana in 1909. It is under the auspices of the Methodist Church is operated by Methodist Deaconesses. In 1954, the name changed to Inter-Mountain Deaconess Home for Children and in 1989 the name changed to Intermountain Children's Home.

 

• Sacred Heart Academy--Missoula

Origin: In 1874, Sisters of Charity of Providence at Missoula opened a school for orphan children. In 1885, a new three-story building was erected, and dedicated in May by Bishop Brondel who bestowed the titled Sacred Heart Academy on the edifice.

 

• St. Ambrose's Orphanage--Helena

Origin: Located behind St. John's hospital, building previously housed the territorial insane. The orphanage closed in 1893 due to overcrowding; the children were moved to a new facility, St. Joseph's Orphanage.

 

• St. Ann's (Anne's) Infant Home--Helena

Origin: Located in the old rectory between the old cathedral and St. John's Hospital. St. Ann's girls were unwed mothers. If the children were not adopted from St. Anne's by 2-3 years of age they were then transferred to St. Joseph's Orphanage in Helena. In 1936 St. Anne's Infant Home closed and children were transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital in Deer Lodge, Montana. From 1911-19369, St. Anne's cared for 450 infants.

 

• St. Joseph's Hospital--Deer Lodge

Origin: The Hospital was established the latter part of the 1890's by the order of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas. It was a general hospital, with a nursery to care for children on a boarding basis. The hospital accepted unmarried mothers three or four months prior to their due date. The women were then allowed to remain to work in the hospital following delivery.

 

• St. Joseph's Orphans Home--Helena

Origin: St. Joseph's Orphans Home was established in Helena on October 8, 1893 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. It was established for the purpose for children from broken homes, orphans, or children in need of care. At the close of the orphanage in 1965, most of the 14 children remaining were Cuban refugees.

 

• St. Labre Mission School--Ashland

Origin: The St. Labre Mission was established by a group of Ursuline Nuns in June 1883. The purpose of the mission was to maintain a boarding school and day school for children of the Tongue River Indian Reservation and a few children from other areas, and to provide elementary and higher training as well as religious teaching for the children in school and for the families..

 

• St. Mary's Academy--Deer Lodge

Origin: St. Mary's Academy was established in 1822 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. Its purpose was to furnish Catholic boarding school education to children whose parents wanted this service.

 

• St. Thomas Orphan Home--Great Falls

Origin: St. Thomas Orphans Home was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Providence. Bishop Mathias Lennihan opened the school in 1910. The purpose of the institution is to care for children from broken homes, orphans or children in need of care for at least a year.

 

• St. Xavier Mission--St. Xavier

Origin: Established in 1887 by the early Jesuit Missionaries. St. Xavier's purpose was to maintain a boarding school and day school for children of the Crow Indian Reservations and a few other children, and to provide catholic training and religious services to the school children and to the families of the neighborhood.

 

• Ursuline Convent--St. Ignatius

Origin: The Ursuline Convent at St. Ignatius was established in 1888, and since that time has been under the supervision of the Ursuline Sisters, who first arrived at St. Ignatius to conduct a kindergarten department for small Indian children. The purpose of this school was to care for Indian children from broken homes, orphans, or children in need of care for at least a year.

 

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