Charleston Orphan House

The Charleston Orphan House, the first municipal orphanage in the U.S., was created by an act of the city council on October 18, 1790, at the instigation of council member, John Robertson. By this act, the Orphan House was charged with "supporting and educating poor orphan children, and those of poor distressed and disabled parents, who are unable to maintain them". The Orphan House stood on the corner of St. Philip and Calhoun Streets. It officially opened on October 18, 1794, and the original building was renovated in 1853.

The Orphan House was governed by a board of commissioners, which was annually elected by the city council. The commissioners met weekly. Each commissioner served alternately as visiting commissioner, who was responsible for investigating applicants for admission or indenture.

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