Randolph Township Historical Society Events
Covered Bridge Program
Local photographer and author Paul Farrier will be speaking about Ohio's Beautiful and Authentic Timber Trussed Covered Bridges at the Randolph Township Historical Society on Wednesday, November 9th at 1:30 pm.
Orphans' Home Program
Join us Saturday, December 3, at 2:00pm for a program presented by the Association of Ex-Pupils of the OSSO/OVCH Orphans' Home in Xenia, Ohio.
The Home was originally established in 1869 by the Grand Army of the Republic who fought in the Civil War. Originally, the Home was provided for Ohio children who had lost their father in the Civil War with a place to live.
Eventually, the State of Ohio opened this institution to orphans of all military conflicts and the children of all veterans, including ones who had not died on the battlefield. In some cases, the children had not lost their parents. Due to financial difficulties, a veteran and/or his spouse might leave their children at the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home in the care of the State of Ohio.
Children at the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home received a traditional education, as well as training in various occupations. The boys also received some military training and several of them later joined the armed forces. In 1901, the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home was the largest institution of its kind in the world.
The History Center is now open to the general public. Please call 937-832-8538 for more information.