History of the Fresh Air Home
The first meeting of the Froebel Circle was held on May 27, 1897, at the home of Miss Nina Pape . There were 8 members present. The work of the Circle was to be directed toward increasing the health and happiness of underprivileged children. This Circle was to bear the name of the great German educator, Frederick Froebel, who founded the kindergarten system. The Froebel Circle was organized as a branch of the International Order of King’s Daughters and Sons , a religious order.
Miss Nina Pape, an outstanding civic leader and founder of Pape School in Savannah, GA, conceived the plan of having a Fresh Air Home at Tybee Island.
The Froebel Circle chose as its motto, Matthew 25:40, “In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” It chose as its text Isaiah 11:6, “A little child shall lead them.”
The Fresh Air Home opened the first season on Saturday, July 2, 1897. The upper floor of a house at Tybee Island was rented and the Froebel Circle took in 50 children; 6 children each week. The first matron, Mrs. Chase, was paid $5.00 per month. She was assisted by her 2 daughters that were just 16 and 12 years old. They were each paid $1.50 per month, bringing the monthly total to $8.00. The Froebel Circle had $100.00 the first summer, of which $50.00 was paid for rent and $50.00 was used for running the home.
Free transportation to Tybee was provided by the Central of Georgia Railroad. Many people contributed that first season - all the way from the ice companies to butchers. Books, medicine, and toys were also donated.
The home had grown so by the third season in 1899 that a cottage was rented, and 125 children were cared for during that summer. By 1900, a new home was bought from the Zoraida Archery Club. This facility consisted of a main building and two cottages. 180 were cared for that summer.
In five years, the Froebel Circle owned the home and was debt free. A trained nurse, matron, assistant matron, and cook were caring for 270 children. After the first year, the children, both boys and girls, were provided with regulation camping clothes.
In 1921, the cost per child had risen from $1.50 to $5.00 dollars a week. In order to raise money, the Circle sponsored card parties, oyster roasts, and rummage sales.
Boys’ Week was instituted at the home in the early 1900's. It took place the last week of the season, but as leaders were difficult to obtain, it was decided to end Boys' Week in 1923.
During World War I the home was used by the Red Cross as a school for children at nearby Fort Screven.
In 1927, the cost of running the home was much higher, and it was proposed that the Froebel Circle enter the Community Chest. On June 13, 1927, it was unanimously decided to enter the Community Chest the next year.
The Froebel Circle remained in the Community Chest until 1971.
In 1928, a gift of $40,000.00 was left to the Circle by Percival R. Cohen. This gift made it possible to erect a building known as the Cohen Shelter for Little Ones. On April 15, 1929, the cornerstone of the Cohen Shelter for Little Ones was laid with impressive ceremonies by the Masons. Enclosed in the cornerstone was a box containing corn, wine, and oil - emblematic of plenty, the spirit of joy, and the spirit of peace. The box also contained a copy of the Savannah Morning News, a copy of Mr. Cohen’s will, a history of the Froebel Circle, a coin of the year 1898, and a coin of the year 1928.
Mrs. C.F. Graham gave a parcel of land which was later exchanged with the League for their lot adjoining the Fresh Air Home. It was necessary for the Froebel Circle to borrow $12,000 to complete the construction of the
building and for operating expenses. Mrs. George Walker gave $5,000 to be used for the staff building, and the hospital was built as The Elizabeth Barrow Memorial Hospital.
In 1932, the Circle was left $10,000 by John Devine Carswell. This money enabled the Froebel Circle to operate the home during the Depression, caring for 127 babies and 29 mothers who needed rest. Also, 600 older children
were made happier and healthier.
In February of 1943, the Froebel Circle voted to withdraw from the King's Daughters . Although they were no longer a party of the Order, it was decided to keep the same name, Froebel Circle, merely dropping the phrase "
of the King's Daughters ."
In 1971, the Fresh Air Home was dropped from the United Community Appeal. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil B. Day noticed this in the paper while staying at Tybee. They had always enjoyed seeing the children on the beach. They met with
the Froebel Circle members and made an offer to donate $5,000 a summer to be matched by the members of the Circle. Mrs. Day remarked, "The Lord sends him where there is a need." That year started the campaign into the
community. In 1975, the Savannah Benevolent Association, Inc. gave the home $10,000 to update the plumbing and repair the pavilion.
In 1978, at Mr. Cecil Day 's death, the Fresh Air Home was left a yearly, changeable income from his investments.
In 1981, Dr. Darnell Brawner, a longtime friend of the Froebel Circle, gave $20,000 which was used to paint the outside of the buildings at the home. The present home is composed of five red brick units. The main building is the Cohen Shelter where the dining room accommodates 100 children. The other buildings are the Staff Cottage, named in honor of Mrs. George P. Walker; the Hospital Building, built by members of the Elizabeth Butler Circle, and named The Elizabeth Barrow Memorial Hospital, it is now used as a nursery for children 4 and 5 years of age; the Nina Anderson Pape Cottage; Anna’s Cottage.
From the original 8 members, the Circle today has an organization consisting of 50 members. The work is carried on through its various committees, whose chairman, with the officers of the Circle, makes up the Executive Board.
The standing committees are: Building, Employment, Clothing, Linen, Housekeeping, Clinic, Memorials, Grounds, Campaign, Market and Menu, Staff Workshop, Nursery, Pape Cottage, Transportation, Recreation, and Registration.
Presently, during the summer months, the Home is opened for 8 weeks. The various committee members see that everything is in readiness for each child to spend eleven days at the home enjoying the ocean, salt air, playing on the beach, and supervision by counselors of strong character. The maximum capacity of the Home at one time is 92 children. The daily program at The Fresh Air Home includes play on the beach, supervised games on the camp
grounds, crafts, music activities, Bible stories, and field trips.
The purpose of the home is to improve the health of the children, to build character, and to help them grow into better men and women – both physically and morally.
The work of the Fresh Air Home and its influence in the lives of the children stand as the realization of the dreams of one woman. It is a monument to the work of innumerable men and women and as an institution dedicated “… unto one of the least of these” and to the belief that “a little child shall lead them…”
Miss Nina Pape, an outstanding civic leader and founder of Pape School in Savannah, GA, conceived the plan of having a Fresh Air Home at Tybee Island.
The Froebel Circle chose as its motto, Matthew 25:40, “In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” It chose as its text Isaiah 11:6, “A little child shall lead them.”
The Fresh Air Home opened the first season on Saturday, July 2, 1897. The upper floor of a house at Tybee Island was rented and the Froebel Circle took in 50 children; 6 children each week. The first matron, Mrs. Chase, was paid $5.00 per month. She was assisted by her 2 daughters that were just 16 and 12 years old. They were each paid $1.50 per month, bringing the monthly total to $8.00. The Froebel Circle had $100.00 the first summer, of which $50.00 was paid for rent and $50.00 was used for running the home.
Free transportation to Tybee was provided by the Central of Georgia Railroad. Many people contributed that first season - all the way from the ice companies to butchers. Books, medicine, and toys were also donated.
The home had grown so by the third season in 1899 that a cottage was rented, and 125 children were cared for during that summer. By 1900, a new home was bought from the Zoraida Archery Club. This facility consisted of a main building and two cottages. 180 were cared for that summer.
In five years, the Froebel Circle owned the home and was debt free. A trained nurse, matron, assistant matron, and cook were caring for 270 children. After the first year, the children, both boys and girls, were provided with regulation camping clothes.
In 1921, the cost per child had risen from $1.50 to $5.00 dollars a week. In order to raise money, the Circle sponsored card parties, oyster roasts, and rummage sales.
Boys’ Week was instituted at the home in the early 1900's. It took place the last week of the season, but as leaders were difficult to obtain, it was decided to end Boys' Week in 1923.
During World War I the home was used by the Red Cross as a school for children at nearby Fort Screven.
In 1927, the cost of running the home was much higher, and it was proposed that the Froebel Circle enter the Community Chest. On June 13, 1927, it was unanimously decided to enter the Community Chest the next year.
The Froebel Circle remained in the Community Chest until 1971.
In 1928, a gift of $40,000.00 was left to the Circle by Percival R. Cohen. This gift made it possible to erect a building known as the Cohen Shelter for Little Ones. On April 15, 1929, the cornerstone of the Cohen Shelter for Little Ones was laid with impressive ceremonies by the Masons. Enclosed in the cornerstone was a box containing corn, wine, and oil - emblematic of plenty, the spirit of joy, and the spirit of peace. The box also contained a copy of the Savannah Morning News, a copy of Mr. Cohen’s will, a history of the Froebel Circle, a coin of the year 1898, and a coin of the year 1928.
Mrs. C.F. Graham gave a parcel of land which was later exchanged with the League for their lot adjoining the Fresh Air Home. It was necessary for the Froebel Circle to borrow $12,000 to complete the construction of the
building and for operating expenses. Mrs. George Walker gave $5,000 to be used for the staff building, and the hospital was built as The Elizabeth Barrow Memorial Hospital.
In 1932, the Circle was left $10,000 by John Devine Carswell. This money enabled the Froebel Circle to operate the home during the Depression, caring for 127 babies and 29 mothers who needed rest. Also, 600 older children
were made happier and healthier.
In February of 1943, the Froebel Circle voted to withdraw from the King's Daughters . Although they were no longer a party of the Order, it was decided to keep the same name, Froebel Circle, merely dropping the phrase "
of the King's Daughters ."
In 1971, the Fresh Air Home was dropped from the United Community Appeal. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil B. Day noticed this in the paper while staying at Tybee. They had always enjoyed seeing the children on the beach. They met with
the Froebel Circle members and made an offer to donate $5,000 a summer to be matched by the members of the Circle. Mrs. Day remarked, "The Lord sends him where there is a need." That year started the campaign into the
community. In 1975, the Savannah Benevolent Association, Inc. gave the home $10,000 to update the plumbing and repair the pavilion.
In 1978, at Mr. Cecil Day 's death, the Fresh Air Home was left a yearly, changeable income from his investments.
In 1981, Dr. Darnell Brawner, a longtime friend of the Froebel Circle, gave $20,000 which was used to paint the outside of the buildings at the home. The present home is composed of five red brick units. The main building is the Cohen Shelter where the dining room accommodates 100 children. The other buildings are the Staff Cottage, named in honor of Mrs. George P. Walker; the Hospital Building, built by members of the Elizabeth Butler Circle, and named The Elizabeth Barrow Memorial Hospital, it is now used as a nursery for children 4 and 5 years of age; the Nina Anderson Pape Cottage; Anna’s Cottage.
From the original 8 members, the Circle today has an organization consisting of 50 members. The work is carried on through its various committees, whose chairman, with the officers of the Circle, makes up the Executive Board.
The standing committees are: Building, Employment, Clothing, Linen, Housekeeping, Clinic, Memorials, Grounds, Campaign, Market and Menu, Staff Workshop, Nursery, Pape Cottage, Transportation, Recreation, and Registration.
Presently, during the summer months, the Home is opened for 8 weeks. The various committee members see that everything is in readiness for each child to spend eleven days at the home enjoying the ocean, salt air, playing on the beach, and supervision by counselors of strong character. The maximum capacity of the Home at one time is 92 children. The daily program at The Fresh Air Home includes play on the beach, supervised games on the camp
grounds, crafts, music activities, Bible stories, and field trips.
The purpose of the home is to improve the health of the children, to build character, and to help them grow into better men and women – both physically and morally.
The work of the Fresh Air Home and its influence in the lives of the children stand as the realization of the dreams of one woman. It is a monument to the work of innumerable men and women and as an institution dedicated “… unto one of the least of these” and to the belief that “a little child shall lead them…”
