Not often do you hear of a crowd assembled in Milford Center these days, but you couldn’t miss one in early September 1925.
As The Oneonta Star of Sept. 5 reported, “Upward of a thousand people were present yesterday afternoon to witness the formal dedication of the Up State Baptist home for children, located at Milford Center and many of those expressed interest in the work by making money pledges which totaled $1,607. The sum will go toward the $15,000 fund which is being raised for this work.
“The actual program began with music by Company G band of Oneonta, followed by community singing led by Jerry Wilson, Oneonta. The Rev. George A. Fairbanks of the Baptist church of McGraw offered a simple invocation prayer, after which a trio composed of Miss Anne Waters, Mr. H.B. Finch and Jerry Wilson sang a hymn. Mrs. Wilson accompanied them on piano. The Rev. J.D. Gridley, superintendent of the home, then delivered a brief address of welcome in which he reminded the Baptists present that the school was their home, and that the latch string was always out to visitors. The address of the afternoon by the Rev. Mr. Carr followed this, after which the prayer of dedication was offered by the Rev. D.H. Woodward of Edmeston.
“The home is surrounded by 100 acres of land which reaches nearly to the waterfront on the lake and in the back of the house extends up to include walnut and chestnut groves as well as the spring which supplies water to the buildings. One of the buildings which during its former ownership was used for the storing of hops, is to be converted into a playhouse for the children.
“The home is now open to children of any denomination, for while the home is to be controlled by the Baptist board and largely supported by the church, no limitation on the faith of any child desiring admission is to be made.”
The dedication was months in the making in 1925, as back on April 15 the Star informed readers, “At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Up-State Baptist Home for Children, held yesterday morning at the First Baptist church in the city, 15 of the 18 directors being present, it was unanimously voted to purchase of C.H. Morris his fine farm and residence at Milford Center. Possession of the property will be given August 1, and the purchase price is $15,000, of which a substantial payment has been made.
“The association was organized three years ago, and for the past two years has been negotiating for a site. Various circumstances had combined to prevent action until this time, but it is believed that the decision reached yesterday will be in every way satisfactory.”
The Otsego Farmer of April 17 added, “The farm is one of the best in Milford township, and the house one of the most commodious, well equipped and convenient. The grounds are handsomely laid out, and have for many years been subject of admiring comment to whoever passed along the highway. The board considers itself very fortunate in securing the property.”
The whole idea of this home came about from a family tragedy. Claude and Harriet Smith adopted a year-old girl, who became the life of their home in Oneonta. The girl died, causing much loneliness and grief.
The Smiths began a search for another child. They visited numerous orphanages and explored all means of adoption. Everywhere they went, they found many children without parents or from broken homes.
“If only we were wealthy,” Mrs. Smith said repeatedly, “we could fill our home with these little ones.” While not her own home, Harriet came up with an idea of a home for children.
Harriet shared her idea with her pastor, Dr. Edson J. Farley, of Oneonta’s First Baptist Church. Farley suggested to Harriet to discuss the idea with a prayer group. Most who listened were enthusiastic with her idea.
One thing led to another and Harriet’s dream came true. It closed as an orphanage in 1962 and re-opened in 1967 as a place for people with disabilities.
The campus grew in years ahead and the organization’s name was changed to Springbrook in 2005.
On Wednesday, urban renewal stress in Oneonta in September 1975.