FRANKLIN – The Franklin Historical Museum will explore a little-known and complicated chapter of the town’s past with a special program titled “Mercy and Malevolence – Discovering the Complex Story of St. Theresa’s Home of the Little Flower” on Sunday, September 13th.
From the early 1940s through the early 1950s, St. Theresa’s Home of the Little Flower, also known as the Home of the Holy Child, operated as a Catholic orphanage at Franklin’s Hayward Manor. The property had recently been sold by the family of a prominent textile executive when a Catholic religious order began using it to house children. The institution was relatively small, generally caring for no more than a few dozen children at a time, including children from Franklin and communities throughout the region whose families were unable to care for them.
The museum says the home provided food, clothing and education at a time when the social safety net available to struggling families was extremely limited. For some children, the orphanage offered an escape from severe poverty and life on the streets. However, memories of the institution are complicated. Some former residents recalled cruelty, strict and repetitive routines and a sparse diet. Communication could also be difficult because most of the children spoke English while many of the Bernardine sisters who operated the home primarily spoke Polish.
The Franklin Historical Museum is now hoping to learn what became of the children who once lived there and preserve more of their stories. Former residents and their family members are especially encouraged to attend the September program. Organizers will provide a brief overview of the orphanage’s history and contemporary newspaper coverage before inviting attendees with personal stories or family connections to share their experiences.
The Franklin Historical Museum will be open from 1 to 4 PM on Sunday, September 13th, with the program beginning at 1:15 PM. Admission is free, although donations are encouraged and appreciated. Anyone with questions or information about former residents can contact Alan Earls at [email protected] or 508-560-3786.
