Ten years ago (April 18, 1928) next Monday the King's Daughters Childrens Home, North Harlem Avenue, became a reality. In celebration of the anniversary an open house will be held Monday evening from 7:30 to 9:30, to which the public is invited. An address of welcome will be given by Mrs. Helmuth K. Seikel, president of the board and A.J. Stukenberg, chairman of the advisory board will speak informally. Musical numbers will be included and refreshments served. Executives of the home are asking for pound donations and it is hoped the people of Freeport will be generous in making gifts of fresh food stuff, canned goods, jellies, preserves and staple foods.

The home is the outcome of the Settlement Home and for years before it was built it was the goal of this group of loyal women, members of the different societies of King's Daughters' who gave much time to planning and working, encouraged by men who also believed in it. After the sale of the Settlement Home building the women went to work with a will. A.J. Stukenberg was general chairman of the campaign which put on the drive for funds to buy a suitable location and build the home to care for Protestant children. The campaign opened June 1, 1926 and took exactly a week to raise the necessary sum which was first put at $25,000. The surprise donation of $2,500 from Senator Wm. B. McKinley was one of the joys of this strenuous week, but small donations came from rich, poor, young and old living in Freeport and Stephenson County. At the close of the week $27,500 had been pledged.

After the lot had been selected and the building was nearing completion, W.T. Rawleigh generously contributed a check for $10,000 which lifted the weight of worry from the shoulders of those in command and the home went on to a splendid finish.

The executive board of the campaign were: Mrs. F.L.Furry, Presiden; Mrs. Susan B.Rowley, first vice president; Mrs. E.E. Clawson, second vice president; Mrs. F.A. Raubenheimer, secretary; Mrs. J.J. Rosenstiel, treasurer; Mesdames, J.B. Crawford, G.P. Ewing, Homer Scofield, Margaret Caldwell, E.M. Harrush, Guy Mitchell, Scott Deaner, D.G. Smith, S.S. Jourdan, Thomas H. Liggett, A.C. Knorr, Fred G. Thomas, Charles C. Seyfarth, Ben Jannsen, Miss Mary Swanzey.

The advisory board was A.J. Stukenbery, president; Harry E. Stahl, secretary; Dr. B.A. Arnold, H.B. Hartman, H.A. Hillmer, A.H. Stevenson, Ira Miller, Ezra Morse.

The cornerstone of the new home was laid July 24, 1927 and on the 17th of April 1928 the King's Daughter's Children's Home was dedicated, many pastors taking part in the services. Among this group were Rev. Edward Burgl, pastor of the Oak Avenue church, Rev. W.F. Rex of the Englis Lutheran Church, Rev. Irving A. Fox pastor of the First Baptist Church, and Dr. Ernest Wray O'Neal pastor of the First Methodist church who gave the dedicatory address.

Besides the pledges of money for building, many gifts were donated for the furnishing of the home, such as victrolas, dining room buffet, a piano, electric lamps, electric washer, hall clock, crocheted rugs, beds, quilts, draperies, etc.

For nine years this home fourished under the superintendency of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mayer who looked after the physical as well as the spiritual needs of the children entrusted to their care and it was with much regret that the chilrens home saw them depart to take up similar work in Florida.

From the Freeport Journay 14 April 1938