Fonds F1053 - Sunnyside Children's Centre fonds

The Orphans' Home and Widows' Friend Society was organized in 1857 to provide for the care and education of orphans. Initially these children came from the House of Industry, an institution established by the Female Benevolent Society for the poor of the area. By 1857 the House of Industry was well established and receiving aid so the women who had been involved in organizing that agency now turned their attention to the children. In March, 1857, thirteen children were admitted from the House of Industry into a house on Earl street where they were cared for and taught by a Mrs. Harold. Other destitute children attended the classes. In 1862 the Orphans' Home and Widows' Friend Society was granted a charter. In 1862 the Orphanage and school moved to larger quarters. In 1927 the building housing the Orphanage was bought by Queen's University and Sunnyside, the home of Mrs. G.Y. Chown, was bought for use as an orphanage (formerly 241 Union St, now 50 Vandalay Crescent). As conditions changed and orphan children were adopted or placed in foster homes the orphanage had fewer and fewer inmates. By 1947 the role of Sunnyside had changed. It was formally closed in 1998 and the house "Sunnyside" was sold.