The Story of the Colored Orphan Asylum: History, Destruction, and Legacy
The Story of the Colored Orphan Asylum: History, Destruction, and Legacy
Founded in 1836, the Association for the Benefit of Colored Orphans (renamed the Colored Orphan Asylum in 1844) was one of the first institutions in the United States created specifically to provide housing, education, and protection for Black orphans.
At a time when African American children were largely barred from standard charitable child-welfare institutions in New York, the asylum filled a critical void, helping hundreds of children each year.
1. Founding and Early Mission (1836)
Founders: Established by Quaker philanthropists Anna Shotwell and Mary Murray.
The Need: In the 1830s, around 7% of New York City’s population was Black, yet existing orphanages routinely excluded Black children, leaving many in harsh, poorly maintained local poorhouses.
First Location: A four-story building in Midtown Manhattan on Fifth Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets (where the New York Public Library Main Branch stands near today).
Management: The institution was primarily managed by women and cared for an average of 400 children annually.
2. Life, Education, and Prominent Figures
Early Education & Indentured Servitude: Initially, formal schooling was provided mainly for infants. Older children were bound through an indenture system to learn trades or household skills until age 21, with small fees paid by host families held in trust for when the youth entered adulthood.
Educational Expansion: Over time, the curriculum expanded through the 6th grade and later 8th grade, with several students continuing higher studies at the Hampton Institute. By 1918, the indenture system evolved into a foster care model.
Dr. James McCune Smith: In 1846, Dr. James McCune Smith—the first licensed African American physician in the United States—became the orphanage's medical director, providing medical care and advocating for the children's welfare.
3. The 1863 Draft Riots and Destruction
The most tragic chapter in the orphanage’s history occurred during the New York City Draft Riots of July 1863.
Background: In March 1863, strict federal conscription laws went into effect during the Civil War. Working-class white men—primarily Irish immigrants—were enraged that wealthier men could pay $300 to hire draft substitutes. Because Black men were not considered U.S. citizens at the time, they were exempt from the draft, making Black communities a target for riotous anger.
The Attack: On Monday, July 13, 1863, at around 4:00 PM, an armed mob surrounded the Fifth Avenue building, viewing the asylum as a symbol of white charity toward Black advancement. The mob broke in, looted the property, and set it ablaze.
Miraculous Escape: Police officers held back the crowds just long enough for Superintendent William E. Davis and staff to evacuate all 233 children through the rear doors. No children lost their lives during the assault.
The Aftermath: The children were sheltered at a nearby police station before being moved by steamboat to Blackwell’s Island (now Roosevelt Island). The physical loss of the building and property was estimated at $80,000.
4. Rebuilding and Modern Evolution
Despite the total destruction of their Fifth Avenue home, the asylum's leadership persisted:
Period
Key Developments
5. Legacy Today
While the original Fifth Avenue building is long gone, the organization's legacy continues through the Harlem Dowling–West Side Center for Children and Family Services. The organization shifted its core mission toward preventative family support, foster care, and youth development, remaining one of New York City’s longest-running child welfare initiatives.
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