The Illinois Soldiers' Widows' Home (1895-1963), a home for indigent mothers, wives, widows and daughters of honorably discharged veterans, was created in 1895. The Wilmington home was governed by five Governor-appointed trustees, who operated the home under the supervision of the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities (1895-1909) and the Illinois Board of Administration (1909-1917). Jurisdiction over the home transferred to the Dept. of Public Welfare (1917-1961) and then to the Dept. of Mental Health (1961-1963). When the home closed in 1963, its residents were transferred to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy and placed under Dept. of Children and Family Services jurisdiction.
From the description of Admission files, ca. 1896-1960. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 36832799
