| The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze the historical development of The Baby Fold, a United Methodist-related health and welfare ministry to children and their families in central Illinois from 1899 to 1974. The Baby Fold, originally a home for Methodist Episcopal deaconesses, changed the focus of its ministry many times in response to a series of crises and in reflection of the changing needs of central Illinois, as well as the specific concerns of the institution's administrators.;The Baby Fold's development can be divided into five chronological periods: (1) 1899--1908, years during which the institution was created and quickly evolved from its origin as a deaconess home to a temporary home for infants and small children; (2) 1908--1935, a period of evolution under the administration of "Mother" Tompie Witten Asher; (3) 1935--1944, a time during which the institution was nearly closed by the state of Illinois but, instead, was completely transformed by the hiring of William and Gwendolyn Hammitt as co-superintendents; (4) 1945--1962, a period that saw a major change in the number and scope of programs offered by the institution; and, finally, (5) 1962--1974, years when The Baby Fold created an innovative Child Development Center.;Other factors influencing and transforming The Baby Fold throughout this period include the role of local media (especially The [ Bloomington, Illinois] Pantagraph), the varying quality of leadership and direction provided by The Baby Fold's Board of Trustees, and the changing issues related to children's legislation in the State of Illinois.;Four presentations of an adult study based upon this research are also described. Four groups, two in Quincy, Illinois, one in New York City, and one in Winchester, Illinois were provided with a short narrative on the history of The Baby Fold. Pre- and post questionnaire's reveal their evolving understanding of the institution's history and significance. |
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