Established in 1865, The Camden Home for Friendless Children found its roots at 915 Haddon Avenue in Camden, NJ, by the 1890s. Mrs. Lucretia Read, widow of prominent Camden realtor William T. Read Sr. and mother of New Jersey State Senator William T. Read Jr., played a vital role in the institution. Actively engaged in the Home’s affairs, Lucretia served on the Board of Managers and later assumed the position of President. Even after her passing in October 1936 at the age of 83, she held the title of President Emeritus of the Board.
Post-World War II, in 1946, the institution underwent a name change to the Camden Home for Children. Operating at 56 children’s capacity, the home eventually closed due to age-related constraints and the escalating needs of the community. Renamed as the Camden Home for Children, the foundation operated during the 1960s and 1970s at Kaighn Avenue and Vesper Boulevard, a facility subsequently utilized by the Camden Board of Education.
The original facility at 915 Haddon Avenue faced closure in the 1960s, leading to its demolition. In its stead, the Camden branch of the Salvation Army erected a new building at the same Haddon Avenue location.
In more recent years, the Camden Home for Children organization maintained offices in Westmont, New Jersey. Although, as of 2011, no physical office or facility remains, the organization continues its mission by serving children in need behind the scenes and supporting sister agencies in their endeavors.
Following a merger with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, The Camden Home for Friendless Children underwent a name change to Camden Home for Children & S.P.C.C. In August 2010, John Powell, a longstanding Executive Director, passed away, and Alan L. Stedman succeeded him in this position.
Photo Gallery
Related Articles
-
Will of Charles S. Boyer Is Admitted to Probate
New Jersey Mirror – February 10, 1937 Contains Number of Bequests to Charities in Camden County The will of Charles S. Boyer, late of Moorestown, was admitted to probate by Surrogate George B. Bitting on Monday. It contains the following bequests: To his wife, Anna DeRousse, all moneys after payment of bequests, also all securities…
-
Children at Camden Home Have Big Time in Wading Pool
Camden Courier-Post – June 30, 1933 Bathing Place, Given by Citizens Officially Opened Four Youthful Charges, Left Motherless, to Return to Father Bathing in the backyard is a privilege of the children of the Camden Home for Friendless Children that is enjoyed by few of the other youngsters in the city. Yesterday, 63 of the…
-
Pyne Poynt Plans All-Day 4th Party
Camden Courier-Post – June 2, 1933 Program to Have ‘Something’ on Continuously, Day and Night Plans for the thirty-third anniversary of the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association to be observed with an all day program at Pyne Poynt Park July 4 were discussed last night at a meeting in the Pyne Poynt Social Club, 929 North…
-
Removed to Hospitals
Camden Courier-Post – January 9, 1922 The police ambulance removed the following residents of South Camden to the hospitals late on Saturday afternoon: West Jersey Homeopathic– William Perry, aged 62 years, 1725 Fillmore Street; Albert Biron, 24 years old, 1108 Baring Street. Cooper Hospital– Mrs. Edna Rosenfelt, aged 23 years, 575 Washington Street; Margaret Radcliffe…
-
Camden Looks After Friendless Children
Philadelphia Inquirer – January 4, 1897 Santa Visits Them Despite War, Many Churches Hold Christmas Services Camden’s generous spirited citizens have responded to the appeal that was made by the Camden Home for Friendless Children, whose youthful inmates were threatened with having a very lean sort of a visit from Santa Claus. There were so…
-
Camden Home for Friendless Children Fund
Camden Democrat – July 18,1874 The Camden Home for Friendless Children—The committee on collections for the Building Fund, have great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the following contributions: Wm. Groves, $50; sundries, by Wm. Curtiss, $20.15; Adams Express Co. by Thomas Fitzgerald, $20; B. F. Davis, $10; F. Bourquin, $10; Thos Fitzgerald, $5; Rufus…
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.