Contents
Descriptive Summary
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Arrangement
SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS
Ser.1 Minutes
Ser.2 Correspondence
Ser.3 Financial
Ser.4 Miscellaneous
Ser.5 Photographs
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An Inventory of the Fowler Orphanage Association Records
Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff
2012
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Title
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Fowler Orphanage Association
Records |
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Dates:
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1926-1987 |
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Abstract:
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Fowler Orphanage (later Fowler Home for Girls) in Cairo,
Egypt was founded in 1906 with money collected by John and Esther Fowler, both
members of the Society of Friends. The Fowler Orphanage Association, afiliated with
Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative), was formed in 1927 to provide support and met
yearly until it was laid down in 1987. Collection includes minutes of the
Association as well as related correspondence, financial records, and
photographs. |
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Extent:
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.5 linear ft. |
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Language:
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All materials in English |
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Identification:
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RG4/123 |
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Location:
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For current information on the location of materials, please
consult the Library's online catalog |
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Location:
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Fowler Orphanage (later Fowler Home for Girls) in Cairo, Egypt was founded in 1906
with money collected by John and Esther Fowler, both members of the Society of
Friends. Esther was a minister, and John had previously opened a children’s home in
Athens, Ohio. The Fowler institution housed a fluctuating number of
girls - approximately 40 - during the time that the Fowler Orphanage Association was
active. For a time, the Home also ran a school for the younger girls, with the young
women being sent to secondary schools in the area, and then sometimes to more
specialized training in areas such as nursing. Later, it served solely as a home,
with all school-aged children being sent to the nearby mission school. The Home was
administered by the United Presbyterian Board for Foreign Missions. Jane C. Smith,
Miss Barnes, Lucy Lightower, and Elizabeth Wilson served as matron-superintendents.
In 1962 the administration of the Home was transferred to the Faggala Evangelical
Church (Coptic), and when Elizabeth Wilson retired in 1967, the Church supplied its
own staff.
The Fowler Orphanage Association first met the Ninth Month of 1927, with Clarkson S.
French as president. Associated with the Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative), the
Association met yearly until it was laid down in 1987, collecting donations for the
Fowler Orphanage (later the Fowler Home for Girls). Many in the original group had
personally known the Fowlers, and hence felt moved to continue their legacy. Though
the Association did often discuss the efforts of other orphanages, donations went
only to the Fowler Orphanage. Communication flowed smoothly until 1967, after which
money continued to be sent, but follow up letters were rare and information about
the orphanage had to be obtained from the local Presbyterian missionaries to Egypt,
Willis and Anne McGill.
Return to the Table of Contents
The collection primarily consists of minutes of the Fowler Orphanage Association,
1926-1987. It also includes related correspondence, financial records, and
photographs.
Return to the Table of Contents
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Friends
Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials about related topics,
persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings: Researchers are
advised to search by subject and author, when applicable.
Return to the Table of Contents
Organized in five series:
Return to the Table of Contents
Ser.1 Minutes
Box
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| 1 |
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Minutes
1926-1939 1 folder
Minutes of the Fowler Orphanage Association taken by Martha B. Hoyle,
Laura J. Hoyle, and Blanche E. Schofield. Mostly concerns donations.
Mentions Matron of the Orphanage Ella M. Barnes and Lucy Lightower.
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Minutes
1940-1987 1 folder
Noted that during the meeting there was a report concerning life at the
Orphanage; also includes discussion of Native American education. Lucy
Lightower becomes Superintendent of Fowler, and then Jane Smith after
Lightower’s retirement in 1951; Elizabeth Wilson finally becomes Matron
two years later. Of interest is a visit by Elizabeth Wilson and a letter
from Emily Sidwell. In 1962 the Home transferred from the care of the
Presbyterian Mission Board to a local Christian school; after that,
reports come from Willis McGill. Note “YM Made decision to drop this
project. 8/1987.”
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Ser.2 Correspondence
Box
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| 1 |
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Correspondence
1944-1977 1 folder
Reports on life at the Home and the changes in the institution over time.
Other topics include a discussion of the founding of Israel, a cholera
epidemic, the life of a young woman named Faiza and her path to and
through Bible College, the death of one girl while lighting a stove,
Billy Graham’s visit to Cairo, and the end of Elizabeth Wilson’s tenure
in 1967.
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Ser.3 Financial
Box
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Receipts and Other Financial Records
1946-1987 1 folder
Ohio Yearly Meeting Contribution, received through Mildred Cooper/Mr. and
Mrs. Sheldon W. Smith, a list of donors for 1946 from the Ohio YM and a
number of thank-yous from the (Presbyterian) Board of Foreign Missions,
Lists of contributors to the Ohio YM Fowler Orphanage Association.
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Ser.4 Miscellaneous
Box
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Miscellaneous
1926-1976 1 folder
Pamphlet on the Fowler Children’s home in both English and Arabic,
Brochure: Evangelical Church at Faggala, Cairo, Egypt, Beneficial
Society, report of the activities of the Society (including the Fowler
Children’s Home).
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Newspaper clippings
1949-1982 and n.d. 1 folder
Regarding the 100th anniversary of Childrens’ Services in Athens County,
as started by John Fowler, notice of the visit of Willis and Anne McGill
(as missionaries in Cairo).
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Ser.5 Photographs
Box
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Photographs
1946-1953 and n.d. 1 folder
Sent to Mr. And Mrs. Sheldon Smith. Descriptions and often names are
written on the back. Includes other photographs of the girls at the
orphanage.
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