Near Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Saint Joseph’s Villa
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 28, 2007
1. St. Joseph's Villa Marker
Inscription.
Saint Joseph’s Villa, founded 25 Nov. 1834 and incorporated 3 Oct. 1868, is one of the oldest-operating children’s institutions in the United States. For 143 years administered by the Catholic Daughters of Charity as an orphanage and girls’ school, it first was located at 4th and Marshall Streets in downtown Richmond. Boys were first admitted in 1919. Railroad magnate Maj. James H. Dooley endowed Saint Joseph’s in 1922. The current campus opened in a new facility in 1931 as the first cottage-plan orphanage in the East. The Daughters of Charity withdrew in 1977 and the Villa’s mission changed from an orphanage to multiprogram nonsectarian agency.
Saint Joseph’s Villa, founded 25 Nov. 1834 and incorporated 3 Oct. 1868, is one of the oldest-operating children’s institutions in the United States. For 143 years administered by the Catholic Daughters of Charity as an orphanage and girls’ school, it first was located at 4th and Marshall Streets in downtown Richmond. Boys were first admitted in 1919. Railroad magnate Maj. James H. Dooley endowed Saint Joseph’s in 1922. The current campus opened in a new facility in 1931 as the first cottage-plan orphanage in the East. The Daughters of Charity withdrew in 1977 and the Villa’s mission changed from an orphanage to multiprogram nonsectarian agency.
Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-108.)
Location. 37° 38.031′ N, 77° 27.556′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is on Brook Road (U.S. 1) 0.1 miles south of Parham Road (Virginia Route 73), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8121 Brook Rd, Henrico VA 23228, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This entranceway has been erected in honor of Dr. Charles M. Caravati, long-time trustee, benefactor, and friend.
Dedicated October 1987
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,263 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 29, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on August 23, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.