Skip to main content

Hillside Children's Center papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.122

Biographical/Historical note

Hillside Children's Center originated at a meeting of Rochester women at the home of Mrs. William Atkinson on February 28, 1837. The women named the organization "The Rochester Female Association for the Relief of Orphan and Destitute Children." They decided to incorporate this organization and it officially became the Rochester Orphan Asylum. The Asylum was governed by two groups: the Board of Lady Managers and the Board of Trustees, which was composed entirely of men. The Asylum opened on April 2, 1837. It housed nine children in a small two-story cottage with a garden, on the west bank of the Genesee River on South Sophia Street. The Asylum moved to a new building in Hubbell Park on April 9, 1844.

The morning of January 8, 1901 was tragic for the Rochester Orphan Asylum. A fire broke out which completely destroyed one building and a new wing of the Asylum. Twenty-eight children and three employees were lost. The Board decided to rebuild in a country setting. The new site was secured through the will of Mrs. Laura B. Adams. She gave the institution one-sixth interest on 30 acres of property in Cobbs Hill. The other interests were purchased by the Asylum. A cottage-type institution was decided on for the new site, where small groups of children lived in each cottage with house parents. In the spring of 1905, the Asylum moved to its present location on Monroe Avenue in Cobbs Hill.

Between 1920 and 1965, Hillside served dependent, neglected children. House parents lived in the cottages and a family-like environment was present. In 1921, the Rochester Orphan Asylum changed its name to Hillside Home for Children and, in 1940, to Hillside Children's Center.

From the beginning, the institution operated a school and maintained a teacher, but in 1931 the school was closed and all the children were sent to neighborhood public schools. In 1949, the Men's and Women's Boards were combined as one. At the Mid-century Conference of 1950 a goal was set: "For every child a fair chance for the development of a healthy personality." Hillside strives to achieve this goal and much more.

At present, Hillside Children's Center serves dependent, neglected, learning and emotionally disabled children and youth, 5 to 17 years of age. Hillside is supervised by the New York State Board of Social Welfare, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Education. The governing of Hillside is done by a Board of Directors. From its members are elected an Executive Board and Trustees. Hillside Children's Center is an accredited member of the Child Welfare League of America, the United Community Chest of Greater Rochester and Monroe County, and the New York State Council of Voluntary Child Care Agencies.

Scope and Contents

The Hillside Children's Center Papers contain historical materials such as records of the children cared for by the Rochester Orphan Asylum and later, Hillside Children's Center; original legal documents and by-laws of the institution; correspondence; committee/board minutes and reports (printed annual reports and various other printed materials have been removed and catalogued); financial documents; property maps, floor plans, and blueprints; audio-visual materials such as videotapes and slides; photographs; newspaper clippings; and miscellaneous printed materials and ephemera.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1837-2001

Language of Materials

English

Extent

26 box(es) (26 boxes, 121 volumes, 2 packages, and map case items)

Access

The Hillside Children's Center Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-9, Bound Volumes 1-28, and Package 1 were the gift of Hillside Children's Center, March 16, 1979. Subsequent materials were received from Hillside and added to the collection on September 18, 1986 (maps, plot plans, and the architectural drawings of J. Foster Warner, Alling DeForest and others) and 2001 (Boxes 10-26, Volumes 29-31, and Package 2).

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Hillside Children's Center Papers, D.122, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Related Archival Materials

Title
Hillside Children's Center papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA