A HISTORY OF JACKSON-FEILD HOMES

Over the last 150 years Jackson-Feild Homes has been serving girls helping transition them to a better life

Our history is broken into:

• 1855-1920
• 1920-1959
• The Sixties and Seventies
• The End of the Millenium
• Present Day
  

1855-1920

The Jackson Orphan Asylum was opened in Norfolk, Virginia in 1855 through the efforts of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Christ Episcopal Church in response to the need of the many orphans left in the wake of a typhoid epidemic, which had devastated the city. It was named in honor of the memory of The Rev. William N. Jackson who had worked tirelessly through the epidemic and ultimately succumbed to it himself. The Jackson Orphan Asylum was reorganized in 1859 and the facility moved three times between then and 1925.

1920 - 1959

In 1920, the Feild Home opened its doors to its first six residents through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Field. The Nationwide Campaign of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America had appealed for homes for children. Touched by the campaign, Mr. and Mrs. Feild decided to donate the family's ancestral home to that cause. In 1921, it became an institution of the Diocese of Southern Virginia and underwent renovation, which added electricity and central heating.

For reasons of economy, the Jackson Orphan Asylum of Norfolk and its twelve girls merged with the Feild Home at its location in Greensville County, Virginia in 1925. It was renamed Jackson-Feild Episcopal Home in honor of the two great men whose faith had answered a desperate call. All agreed that the country location was the most suitable and that the institution would serve only girls. The Rev. Norman F. Marshall became its first superintendent. Miss Myra Gage became the Headmistress and later went on to serve as superintendent from 1933 until 1959.

During Miss Gage's tenure, the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Southern Virginia began to support the home and the Bishop of Southern Virginia was appointed to the Board of Managers as an ex-officio member. Miss Gage also instituted the Annual Homecoming. During this time, the Home concentrated on teaching housewife and trade skills to its young residents. The Home also cared for tuberculosis victims during these years.

In 1952, the Episcopal Youth began an interest in the Home. It was in the early fifties that the nature of the residents began to change. Many of the girls placed there in the fifties were not orphans, but were suffering from behavior problems. Placements came primarily from the Departments of Social Services. Miss Lona B. Weatherly, the next superintendent, served until 1966.

The Sixities and Seventies

Jackson-Feild began to expand in the 1960's. Tucker Cottage and Gage Dining Hall were built in 1963. The Rectory, now the Training Center was added in 1965. Darden Cottage followed in 1967.

During the seventies, expansion continued with the addition of the Robinson-Withers Recreational Hall in 1971, the swimming pool in 1977, and All Saints Chapel completed in 1979. As a result of more widespread drug use and new social freedoms, the director and Board of Managers steered the focus of Jackson-Feild in the treatment direction. The first African-American residents came to Jackson-Feild during this time. There were three directors during the period: The Rev. George Smith, The Rev. Robert O. Johnston and Stephen J. Martin.

The End of the Millenium

Mr. Stephen D. Ankiel became Director of the Home in 1983. The treatment focus was enlarged to include a family services program. Placements began to come from juvenile courts as well as from social services. A new on-campus education program began in 1986. Jackson-Feild also took on Eleventh House, a facility in Richmond, Virginia, which offers preparation for independent living and provides prenatal care for pregnant girls, a service not offered on the Main Campus.

The Gwaltney Cottage and Gwaltney School, a fully accredited educational facility, were added to the campus in 1991. In December 1993, Robert E. Nicholls became Executive Director. First Step cottage was constructed in 1996.

Present Day

With Mr. Nicholls' retirement in 2001, Mr. Brent Sinnett was appointed Interim Executive Director. A search committee led by Carol Dickinson conducted a national search and D. Rebecca China was called as the new executive Director of Jackson-Feild Homes.