The Rev. N. M. Nilsen,[1] pastor of the Swedish Congregational Church in Cromwell, Connecticut, thought the empty house on West Street could be put to better use than sitting empty. The owner, A.N. Pierson, agreed. It was decided to create an orphanage for young orphan children. The matron was Anna Molin, who came from Manchester, New Hampshire.
It was first announced in the Middletown newspaper, The Penny Press, on 5 April 1900.[2] Another article explained its purpose:
“The Swedish Christian Orphanage, which is to be established here, under the patronage of the Swedish Congregational church, will be ready by the middle of May. The building acquired for the purpose on West Street, by the association, has been repainted and repapered throughout, and a new wing is to be built, to give more room. Miss Anna Molin of Manchester, N.H., who is to be the matron of the home, has arrived in town, and will spend several weeks here, as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Nyren. Rev EG Hjerpe, of New Britain, was in town yesterday on business with Rev. NM Nilsen, in the interest of the house.”[3]
There was some work to do on the building before children could live there. The exterior and interior walls were painted and new wallpaper put up. The work was done by A.N. Pierson’s carpenters.[4]
On Memorial Day, May 30, the orphanage was dedicated:
The Swedish Christian Orphanage, on West Street was dedicated with appropriate exercises this afternoon from 3:00 to 4:30 o’clock. The exercises were largely attended. The program consisted of a general song, followed by prayer and scripture reading by Rev JA Axelson, an address of welcome by the local pastor, Rev NM Nilsen, singing by the choir, and an address by the Rev AP Nilson, another selection by the choir, an address by Rev August Pohl, followed by singing. An address was then made by Rev EG Herpe, a collection was taken, and short remarks were made by the different pastors present, concluding with singing by the assemblage. Refreshments were afterwards served by the ladies of the parish. [5]
As of June 1, four children had moved in.[6] The likely two sets of siblings ranged in age from four to nine. Their parents were born in Sweden.
By September 1, nine more children had arrived. The house had a capacity for forty children. A photograph was taken of the children, directors, and the home by Mr. Applequest of Middletown.[7] This photo may be of that occasion.
On 1 January, the Rev. Nilsen was named superintendent of the orphanage. He resigned his position as pastor of the church and supervised the orphanage until October 1903 when he left for Harcourt, Iowa to pastor a church there.[8]
The orphanage continued for years. The old wooden structure was replaced with a brick building. By the 1970s, that structure was replaced with a modern building. The children had changed over the years, too. In the beginning the children had no family. They attended public school and learned some skills. Later, many children had special needs and stayed at the home for schooling with specialists. Today, the facility is run by Ådelbrook, which is committed to helping youth and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other behavioral and developmental challenges.[9]
My husband’s family is proud of their Swedish-born ancestor's work for the orphan children in Cromwell.
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1. Nil Malkom Nilsen is one of my husband’s maternal great-grandfathers.
2. “Cromwell,” The Penny Press (Middletown CT), 5 Apr 1900, p. 3, col. 1.
3. “Cromwell,” The Penny Press, 21 Apr 1900, p. 3, col. 3.
4. “Cromwell,” The Penny Press, 27 Apr 1900, p. 3, col. 4
5. “Cromwell,” The Penny Press, 30 May 1900, p. 3, col. 4.
6. 1900 U.S. census, Middlesex Co, Connecticut, ED 272, p. 72 (stamped), lines 25-29, Anna B Molin, head, Swedish Orphanage.
7. “Cromwell,” The Penny Press, 1 Sep 1900, p. 3, col. 1.
8. “Cromwell,” The Penny Press, 29 Oct 1903, p. 7, col 4.
9. Ådelbrook (https://adelbrook.org/about-us/our-goals/).
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#52Ancestors - Week 1: In the Beginning
This is my eighth year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/) at Generations Cafe.
I write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or My Trails into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.
This is a very nice post. That was a wonderful goal, to care for orphans.
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