Memorial Project
Glenn Home Memorial Ceremony
The ceremony was held on Saturday, September 15, 2007 in Chamberlain cemetery in Lost Creek Township. Chamberlain cemetery is located on Old Maple Avenue, which is the north border of orginal Glenn Home Property.
Prior to the ceremony, a small group of former residents visited the Home campus; touring the main house and grounds while reflecting on their time there. Three of the men who attended this 'tour', Irie Horrall, Dave Shuck, and Jerry Baskett, had been at the home together but not seen each other in over 45 - 50 years. One of the attendees was Diane Welbourne, whose mother had been the cook in Owen Hall during the 50's. She too remarked on her experiences while living at the Home with her mother. There were a few other visitors; it was a unique experience for all- and all for their own reasons.
Thank you to the Brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who so graciously gave us time out of their active Saturday morning -it is very much appreciated.
The ceremony itself had over 48 attendees, not including Rick Long (Lost Creek Township Trustee) and myself (Jenn). We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather and nice turnout for this project so close to many folks' hearts. To see the joy on some of the folks faces upon seeing their old friends makes everything that went into this project worth it.
If you were not able to make it to the ceremony but would like some images sent to you, feel free to contact me and I will get them to you either via email or postal mail.The stone itself is absoulutely stunning; please see the images as they are added. I cruised past there on my way home that evening from the Seelyville Street Fair. Cresting the hill, the evening sun shone on the stone; it stands out like a beacon calling to be seen. It was a beautiful site. Thank you to everyone involved in making this memorial possible and seeing the project through to fruitation.
Jenn Krockenberger and Rick Long
The Who, What, When, Where, and Why Questions on This Memorial
First off, let me give you a bit of history on this project.
After all, you may be asking, "Why bother?"...
From 1903 to 1979, Glenn Home served many children from newborns to age 18. For many it may be remembered as a negative place in their lives; for others it is remembered as a savior from an otherwise unfortunate life. At Glenn their lives were stabilized; they were well-fed, provided with clean and stable living conditions and regular health care- which many of the children cared for at Glenn had not had. By 1970, none of the residents of Glenn were actual 'orphans'- which was the original intention of the facility. Rather they were children of unfortunate living situations; abuse, neglect, poverty, or other conditions were the reasons they were placed at Glenn.
I was raised in East Glenn by my adoptive parents, just around the corner from Glenn Home. I went to school with these children until its closure. Even rode the same school bus. I still recall names of two little girls who were in my grade school classes. After it closed and into my teen years, I was drawn to the place as if it were a magnet and I the metal. That interest has never dimmed. In 2004 I decided to begin a historical tribute website to both Glenn Home and the old Rose Orphans Home as there was next to nothing on the internet for either of them. This gained a bit of community interest and in 2004 I was contacted by the trustee of Lost Creek Township, Rick Long, regarding the possiblity of a memorial stone or plaque for the Home. Bigger issues took presendece however and the project got put on the back burner.
It's now back on the hot plate and moving forward. There is a small group of folks who are steer-heading this. Our thoughts are simply that the Home, the children who called it "Home", and the individuals who provided care all deserve to be recognized. There were a few deaths of children during their time there, many of whom are buried in a cemetery on the Glenn Home grounds. These children also deserve the recognition that they existed.
Most of the buildings, with the exception of the Main house and gymnasium, are in disrepair. The fraternity living there has reconstructed Owen Hall to suite their own uses, but Leach and Alden Halls, as well as 1917 cottage D, and the 1936 building which was once the african-american children's home all are in condemmed state. These buildings eventually will be gone, leaving only the memory of those who knew the facility behind.
Let me explain perhaps a bit more how this project came about.
The idea originally comes from knowing there was a cemetery on the property. Now that a grave has been found the project has been put back on the hot-plate. Our thoughts were that these children who passed away while there, from whatever reason, deserved to be known that they existed. We've managed to obtain a couple of the death certificates and there was no obituaries or anything- it's as if these children never existed at all. Anyway, the powers-that-be will have the end Yay or Nay; so it's not a surefire thing. The exact details of how the stone (memorial) would be enscripted is unknown at this point, although I am on the design team.
Basically the group looking at doing this is not looking to put GH up on a pedestal, or make it appear to be something it wasn't. Simply to acknowledge its existance as part of our local history. Rose Orphans Home has a similar stone located by the post office on the property where it once stood.
I hope that makes sense. Please do post your comments and thoughts on this project; good, bad or otherwise. It's the personal thoughts that will in the end really decide on the outcome of the project.
That is the reasoning behind this project. We would be honored to hear from anyone formerly affiliated with the Home; be they a prior resident, staff, or county official.
Regards and best wishes~ Jenn
This page was last updated: February 12, 2010
