First off, let me give you a bit of history on this project.  After all, you may be asking, "Why bother?". 

From 1903 to 1979, Glenn Home served many children from newborns to age 18.  For many it may be remembered as a negative place in their lives; for others it is remembered as a savior from an otherwise unfortunate life. At Glenn their lives were stabilized; they were well-fed, provided with clean and stable living conditions and regular health care- which many of the children cared for at Glenn had not had.   By 1970, none of the residents of Glenn were actual 'orphans'- which was the original intention of the facility.  Rather they were children of unfortunate living situations; abuse, neglect, poverty, or other conditions were the reasons they were placed at Glenn. 

I was raised in East Glenn by my adoptive parents, just around the corner from Glenn Home.  I went to school with these children until its closure.  Even rode the same school bus.  I still recall names of two little girls who were in my grade school classes.  After it closed and into my teen years, I was drawn to the place as if it were a magnet and I the metal.  That interest has never dimmed.  In 2004 I decided to begin a historical tribute website to both Glenn Home and the old Rose Orphans Home as there was next to nothing on the internet for either of them.  This gained a bit of community interest and in 2004 I was contacted by the trustee of Lost Creek Township, Rick Long, regarding the possiblity of a memorial stone or plaque for the Home.  Bigger issues took presendece however and the project got put on the back burner. 

It's now back on the hot plate and moving forward.  There is a small group of folks who are steer-heading this.  Our thoughts are simply that the Home, the children who called it "Home", and the individuals who provided care all deserve to be recognized.  There were a few deaths of children during their time there, many of whom are buried in a cemetery on the Glenn Home grounds.  These children also deserve the recognition that they existed. 

Most of the buildings, with the exception of the Main house and gymnasium, are in disrepair. The fraternity living there has reconstructed Owen Hall to suite their own uses, but Leach and Alden Halls, as well as 1917 cottage D, and the 1936 building which was once the african-american children's home all are in condemmed state.  These buildings eventually will be gone, leaving only the memory of those who knew the facility behind. 

 

Why would you want to memoralize such a horrible place. I was there for years placed as an orphan in early 50s. Just wondering.:-( I was one of the Adkins children, there were 4 of us. If anyone remembers us please contact me. Thank you

It seems the interest is in not as much memoralizing the place, but the people involved...especially the children. I am sorry I did not know you; I was adopted in the 60's. I believe the site should be forever remembered...

I was in the home for a short time in 1974 when I was 8 years old. I was there with my sister and two brothers. We can never bring ourselves to talk about our experiences there when we are together. I don't know why. When I travel back to Terre Haute every few years to visit my family I am always drawn to GH and the memories I had there. They weren't happy memories but they weren't sad either. I like the idea of a memorial because of the children that lived there. They should not be forgotten.

I was in the home along with my sister and two brothers, from 1953-1961, I glad someone is taking an interest in the children that was there. A memorial is great but I feel it should be put on the ground somewhere, rather it be at the entrance of Hwy 40, or someone else on the grounds. I know that a Rose Hulman Fraternity is there and I am sure they would not mind. They opened up the home about 3 years ago for people to come back and see which I did go. I can not say I regret time there. If my father had not put us there god's know what may have happen to us. We all turned out to be very successful and I think it was due to the ground work at the Glenn Home.

This message is for Jenny. How old were you at the time you lived in the home? I was also living at the home during that time. I would have been the youngest one living there then. My name, at the time, was Tammy Hamilton. I went to the home when I was 3 in 1974 and lived there until I was 8 in 1979. I would not have remembered you because I was so young or maybe you left before I got there in that same year. Have you found any info or photos about the children living there when you were, and how did you get it? I am collecting information about the childre that llived in the home and their stories to share with my family and would love to hear about yours. Who konws, we may have been there at the same time! I also think it is very interesting to hear about what became of the children of the Glenn Home...