1828
Female Orphan Asylum – Children’s Home of Portland
15 prominent women from Portland society petitioned the state legislature to incorporate as the Female Orphan Asylum of Portland (later the Children’s Home of Portland). The bill was enacted in February and on the first of April, the women opened a fully operational orphan “house” on the corner of Free & South Streets.
1878
Female Orphan Asylum – 50th Anniversary Annual Report
The 50th Anniversay Annual Report of the Female Orphan Asylum.
1891
Acts of Incorporation of Female Orphan Asylum
A photo of the Acts of Incorporation of Female Orphan Asylum
1893
Little Samaritan Aid Society (later named Maine Home for Boys)
A picture of the Little Samaritan Aid Society, which was later named the Maine Home for Boys.
1893
Children’s Aid Society of Maine in Belfast, established
1905
Children’s Aid Society – Act of Incorporation
Photo of the Act of Incorporation of the Children’s Aid Society
1917
Sweetser Orphan Asylum Opens in Saco
May 20, 1917 – The opening of the Sweetser Orphan Asylum on Moody Street in Saco.
1928
Children’s Home 100th Anniversary Report
Angelic cherubs on the cover of the 1928 – 100th anniversary report
1928
Mother Goose Visiting Children
Photo of Mother Goose visiting with children.
1979
Ruel Ricker
Ruel Ricker was the first Sweetser farmer who lived with his family in the original farmhouse and raised horses, pigs and chickens, and supplied the campus with fresh vegetables. An annual Ricker Farm Day event has taken place for over thirty years each summer, as a tribute to him, his passion for farming and working the land. It continues to be a fun opportunity for friends and families of those involved with Sweetser to enjoy a day of games and activities and learning about the Farm and Sweetser services.
1992
Sweetser Children’s Services
May 28, 1992 – Sweetser Children’s Home becomes “Sweetser Children’s Services”
