The Gettysburg Orphanage

In one of the most dramatic tales of Civil War Orphanages in Pennsylvania is that of Gettysburg.

In this section, are the only publications of the letters of Ada J. Luden, her family and those of her younger brother Jimmy - who was allegedly murdered by Rosa Carmichael, the terrifying headmistress of the Gettysburg Orphange.

These letters give great insight to the plight of the "half orphans" as well as the mothers of the post Civil War.

The Discovery...

The Inspiration of this historical study…

As I was teaching a research seminar to high school seniors, I discovered in the local historical society an old volume entitled, “The Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Soldiers’ Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania.”

Being research minded academic historian with a Ph. D in American History, I was intrigued with Soldiers' Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania established during the Civil War. I had never heard of or was aware of such a system of schools.

Becoming more acquainted with the Soldiers' Orphan Schools, I realized that it was a topic that had never been investigated by a trained historian. No bona fide historical study existed of the Civil War Soldiers’ Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania.

With this book, there is now a reliable account of a unique state philanthropic effort. Much has been written about the military action of the Civil War and life on the home front. However, no account is available which documents the plight of the children orphaned in the keystone state.

In particular, the descendants of the over ten thousand Civil War soldiers’ orphans who went through the system now have a resource which describes how the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania educated and cared for their ancestors. Also included are details of the National “scandal” which brought about the demise of these schools, accusing school caregivers of cruel and unspeakable acts.

All in all, I look upon my effort as the filling of an empty niche in American history. My goal was to create a readable, scholarly and amply illustrated history of the Civil War Soldiers’ Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania, 1864-1889.

- Dr. O. David Gold

The Inspiration of this historical study…

As I was teaching a research seminar to high school seniors, I discovered in the local historical society an old volume entitled, “The Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Soldiers’ Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania.”

Being research minded academic historian with a Ph. D in American History, I was intrigued with Soldiers' Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania established during the Civil War. I had never heard of or was aware of such a system of schools.

Becoming more acquainted with the Soldiers' Orphan Schools, I realized that it was a topic that had never been investigated by a trained historian. No bona fide historical study existed of the Civil War Soldiers’ Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania.

With this book, there is now a reliable account of a unique state philanthropic effort. Much has been written about the military action of the Civil War and life on the home front. However, no account is available which documents the plight of the children orphaned in the keystone state.

In particular, the descendants of the over ten thousand Civil War soldiers’ orphans who went through the system now have a resource which describes how the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania educated and cared for their ancestors. Also included are details of the National “scandal” which brought about the demise of these schools, accusing school caregivers of cruel and unspeakable acts.

All in all, I look upon my effort as the filling of an empty niche in American history. My goal was to create a readable, scholarly and amply illustrated history of the Civil War Soldiers’ Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania, 1864-1889.

- Dr. O. David Gold

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