When we think of orphanages today, images often come to mind
of a starving Oliver Twist begging for more porridge or, perhaps, the drunken headmistress
in the movie Annie played by Carol
Burnett. And, as with most stereotypes, there
is often a kernel of truth associated with these images. Although most of the founders of orphanages
were well-meaning, the very nature of these institutions made then little more
than warehouses for children.
Take The State Public School for Dependent and Neglected
Children that operated in Owatonna, Minnesota, from 1886 to 1945. Children, from babies all the way up to the
age of eighteen, lived there. It was the third largest orphanage in the nation
in the 1920’s. Although adoption was the
goal, adoption rates were low and most of the children, if they were placed out
at all, were sent out to be indentured servants. Many children spent their
entire childhoods in the State School.
The State School is now a museum. Harvey Ronglien, who lived at the school for
eleven years, is often there chatting with visitors about his experiences
growing up in Cottage 11. When his
mother died and his father was sent to jail, Harvey and his brothers and sisters
were lined up outside the courthouse in Benson, Minnesota. The townspeople came and took all but two of
the children: Harvey and his
brother. They were both sent to live at
the State School.
Looking back, Harvey, writing in the State School News (Vol. 1, No. 1, July 3, 1993) said this: “As an adult, I came to realize the
institutional environment did not provide certain needs a child craves. Although the environment made us physically
strong, it left many of us emotionally deficient. Emotional starvation is inseparable from
institutional life. Due to its size,
individual attention was minimal; consequently children suffered from lack of
attention, appreciation, recognition, and love needed for a healthy
childhood. For many it left scars that
would last a lifetime.”
Next Topic: Teen Life Way Back When: No Cars, No Planes, No Motorcycles - No Kidding!
For additional reading and references, see Extras .
Next Topic: Teen Life Way Back When: No Cars, No Planes, No Motorcycles - No Kidding!
For additional reading and references, see Extras .