Ohio Masonic Home Alumni
Alumni remember fondly their days growing up on the campus
of The Ohio Masonic Home. Here, they gather at a recent
reunion for a group shot.
Every two years, The Ohio Masonic Home Alumni return to their "Home on the Hill". The Alumni's 27th Homecoming was held on the Springfield Campus July 1 and 2, 2006.
A total of 740 children, 437 boys and 303 girls, lived on the Springfield campus during a 59-year period (1897-1956). Nineteen of those children served their country in World War I and 126 served in the Armed Forces during World War II, including three women. A total of eight made the ultimate sacrifice during those two wars. And twenty–two alumni married other alumni.
Former residents of the Ohio Masonic
Home’s children’s home formed friendships
that have lasted a lifetime.
Charles Shellhamer became the first alumnus in 1901 when he was discharged at the age of 14 to go to work. The first reunion was held July 4, 1901, and attended by 26 alumni.
During the two–day reunion, adventurous tales are told about being a member of The Ohio Masonic Home Band, The Ohio Masonic Home Children's Choir, the baseball team, the football team, working on the farm, the print shop, the kitchen, playing on the tennis court or in the swimming pool, attending Saturday night movies in Rickly Auditorium, and the numerous off campus trips that were taken.
Ohio Masonic Home alumni return
regularly to catch up with one
another and reminisce.
However, despite the organized activities, some kids managed to create their own events, like climbing the water tower, sneaking off grounds to get a coke or a hamburger at the Rustic Inn or climbing trees to peer into destiny.
Due to the benevolence of Ohio Master Masons, 740 children had food, shelter, clothing and love. Each child eventually left their Home to travel down life's path. However, no matter where they travel they will always remember a prayer that was said before every meal:
Thanks today for our home and friends, And thanks for our daily bread.
All we eat and drink and wear, Proves our Heavenly Father's care."
Amen
ALUMNI DAY 2006
About 34 alumni who lived at the Springfield campus when it served as a children’s home marked their 27th reunion and 50 years since the last children left the home during a reunion celebration here July 1 and 2.
The group previously got together every three years, but decided after 2004 to gather biennially since its numbers are decreasing.
Some attendees traveled from as far as
The Home was a place for Masons, their wives and widows, but also housed children from 1897 to 1956. It was not an orphanage, as the children here were not up for adoption, but lived here when parents could not support them due to various hardships.
While living here, the children were offered the chance to live normal, happy lives. They attended school regularly, got three meals a day, had comfortable living arrangements, could learn skills such as print shop, farming or other things, or join in activities such as sports or band.
Such opportunities and the chance to have them make the group eager to see one another at these reunions. Some even met their future spouses here, such as Robert and Phoebe Freeze.
Several went on to join the Masonic fraternity or Eastern Star, inspired by the kindness shown to them in their youth.
Many attendees brought family members such as children or grandchildren to the activities, which kicked off with a dinner at the
July 2 was the big event. The day saw a tour of the campus, which included many reminiscences from the attendees about what they remember about the campus during their days here.
Other activities included the traditional group on the steps of Bushnell Hall, a picnic lunch in the shelter house, a business meeting and a final goodbye until the next gathering.
Many alumni already stay in touch and started their lifelong friendships while here. Even a pair of women who grew up across the street from The Home attended the reunion and talked happily of visiting their friends and participating in activities here.
This year also marked another important landmark for the alumni. The east side of The Apartments at
In June 2006, a brand new statue replaced the fountain of a young boy pushing a young girl on a swing. Alumni members and family were charmed by the new statue and many got pictures taken by it.
The next Alumni Day Homecoming event will be July 5-6, 2008.
