Day Home.

The Day Home, originally incorporated under the name, Children's Home Society, was the oldest day nursery in the United States. The Day Home was established in November 1858 by a group of women in rooms in the Ladies Home Missionary Society in the former Congregational Free Church building on 7th Avenue in Troy, New York. It was incorporated April 10, 1861 and was the first incorporation in New York State composed solely of women. In May 1861, the Tibbits Mansion on 7th Avenue was purchased by the Society, the name of the day nursery was changed in 1866 to the Day Home and in 1879, a chapel and school building were added.

The Day Home accommodated approximately 100-150 children each day, most of them under school age and the children were given some basic education and taught some handicrafts. Daily health inspections were given to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases and beginning in 1916, the Day Home Free Clinic, directed by Dr. Arthur W. Benson, provided medical services for the children in the Day Home and for children from families in need of assistance. Lucretia R. Redfield was the Principal of the Day Home from 1874-1915.

...