Orphan Society of Lexington (Ky.)

The Orphan Society of Lexington was formed in 1833 to operate the Lexington Orphan Asylum, founded to provide for children orphaned during the cholera epidemic of that year. It was run by a Board of Managers consisting of twenty-four women, whose numbers included "members of each Protestant Church in Lexington" and who were drawn from some of the most prominent families of the city. Benjamin Gratz was a moving force behind the forming of the asylum and the Society. The first meeting of the Society was held October 16, 1833, and the officers elected were Abby V. Sayre, first directress (president); Syna Richardson, second directress (vice president); Maria C. Gratz (Benjamin's wife), secretary; and Sarah Ward, treasurer. In 1834, the Society was incorporated by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly. The orphans' home was located first on Third Street, then, in 1907, it was moved to West Short Street.