The exhibition is presented by the St. Joseph’s Orphanage Restorative Inquiry and the Vermont Folklife Center. It tells the story of former orphans and their remarkable and enduring accomplishments.

The St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Burlington was home to more than 13,000 children from 1854 to 1974. Although the Catholic-run institution was held in high regard in the community, accounts began to emerge in the 1990s from scores of former orphanage residents describing abuse at the hand of nuns and other clerical personnel. Few were believed at first, but these ex-orphans persevered, ultimately winning validation for the harm done to them and working for laws protecting vulnerable children in Vermont.

The Library welcomes the community to a reception beginning at 2pm followed by a series of speakers including:

Andy Kolovos, Associate Director and Archivist, Vermont Folklife Center
Brenda Hannon, Spokesperson for the Voices of St. Joseph’s Orphanage Group
Marc Wennberg, Former Facilitator of the St. Joseph’s Restorative Inquiry
Molly Farr, Former Lieutenant Governor of VT