May 17, 2012Gustavus Adolphus Children's Home
Located at 715 Falconer Street
The Gustavus Adolphus Children’s Home admitted its first 12 children on January 27, 1886. All were orphans of Swedish immigrants. The Home was established by the Augustana Synod of the Lutheran Church in response to its concern for the religious upbringing of those Swedish children whose parents had died enroute to the United States or soon after their arrival.
Several northeastern locations were proposed with Jamestown being selected. Well-known local architect Aaron Hall designed the Gothic structure. The acreage surrounding the building became a working farm, providing the children with many valuable lessons for their future lives. Noted superintendents of the GA Home include the first ones, Rev. and Mrs. T.O. Linell and long-term superintendents, Mr. & Mrs. John S. Swensson and Mr. And Mrs. J. Oscar Peterson, both of whom had grown up in the home.
The Gustavus Adolphus Children’s Home, housed in a new facility, now serves youth with family and social problems. Residences and care for aging population were initiated in 1930 on the GA Home acreage. They have expanded in the ensuing years to include facilities which run the gamut from apartments to skilled nursing care. Lutheran Social Services of Upper New York, Inc oversees these services.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS CHILDREN'S HOME
ADMITTED ITS FIRST 12 ORPHANS ON JANUARY 17, 1886. IT WAS ESTABLISHED ON THIS SITE BY THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE OF THE SCANDANAVIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN AUGUSTANA SYNOD. THE HOME BECAME THE FOUNDATION FOR LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF UPPER NEW TORK, INC.