North Side in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 3, 2017

1. Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans Marker

Inscription. Here stood the Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans. Lucy Goode Brooks and the Ladies Sewing Circle for Charitable Work, all formerly enslaved, founded it in 1871. The orphanage, supported by the Cedar Creek Meeting Society of Friends, provided a haven for orphaned African American children in post-Civil War Richmond. It was the only adoption agency in Virginia placing African American youth. Brook’s organization, now called FRIENDS Association for Children, continues as a childcare and family support center. In 1970, it became a multifacility agency responding to the changing needs of the community. The original orphanage was demolished tn 1969.

Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-78.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Landmarks • Women. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 37° 33.138′ N, 77° 26.288′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the North Side. Marker is at the intersection of Saint Paul Street and West Charity Street

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, on the right when traveling north on Saint Paul Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 West Charity Street, Richmond VA 23220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charles Sidney Gilpin (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Maggie Lena Walker (1864-1934) (about 600 feet away); Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church (about 700 feet away); John Jasper (about 700 feet away); Saint Joseph Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (approx. ¼ mile away); Leigh Street Armory (approx. ¼ mile away); Ebenezer Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “A study conducted in 1924 in conjunction with the Child Welfare League of America determined that the orphanage was "vital to the city", yet five years later, a second study found that foster care was a more pressing need. In light of this, in 1931, the orphanage was closed and the facility was transformed into foster care agency overseen by Richmond’s branch of the Children’s Aid Society.” (Submitted on September 3, 2017.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 3, 2017

2. Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.