Soldier's Orphan School

Concerns about how to care for orphans of soldiers arose almost immediately after the first shots of the Civil War rang out. In 1864, Pennsylvaniaís Governor Curtin appointed Thomas H. Burrowes as the stateís Superintendent of Soldiersí Orphans to devise a plan for caring for the children of soldiers killed or disabled during the war.

By December of 1865, of the newly created Department of Soldiersí Orphans Schools had created eight schools for older children (ages 10-16) and seventeen homes for younger children. Organized in 1868, the Chester Springs Soldiersí Orphans School opened in 1869 on the old spa property in the center of the village. The Chester Springs school followed a universal regiment shared by all Pennsylvania Soldiersí Orphans Schools. Uniformed students followed strict daily schedules designed to raise their academic, moral, and physical attributes and abilities. By 1889, the school was part of a statewide system of 23 institutions with 3,631 students. The school continued operation for 43 years until the school closed in 1912.

Although the Chester Springs school educated and raised children from all over the state, one particular story shows its influence on the village. Robert Sturgis of West Pikeland Township, a 23 year old blacksmith, served as a corporal in the 175th Pennsylvania Volunteers. In April of 1863, during a march in North Carolina, a group of men from that company stayed behind to prevent confederate troops from sneaking up behind them. Later, Robert was part of a group sent to retrieve the men posted behind. They became disoriented and later surprised the posted men who mistook Robertís group for confederates. The posted group fired a volley and Robert was among those wounded. He died four days later. Robertís two sons, William and Robert, Jr. attended the Soldiersí Orphans School in Chester Springs years later.

ìIt is with the deepest and most sullen regret, that I am thus called upon to introduce myself to you, on such a sullen occasion; yet I feel it my duty to pen you a few lines on this sad, and accidental occurrence, in which your most worthy and gallant husband fell the victim of misfortune.î