Mount St. Vincent Hospital & Orphanage (Part 2. 1911-1953)

In 1920, the Mount St. Vincent Orphanage for girls had provided 40 years of service to orphaned boys and girls, as well as to the infirm. 

The organization continued to be the beneficiary in decedents' wills and the recipient of gifts and donations to continue its charitable work. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield supported the elderly by constructing the Harkins Home for Women and the Beaven-Kelly Home for Men. For homeless boys, there was Holy Family Institute (Brightside); for homeless girls, Mount St Vincent provided essential services.

In February 1927, a benefit bridge tournament at the Hotel Nonotuck attracted 700 participants and raised more than $1,000 for new playground equipment at Mount St. Vincent. It was the institute's first fundraiser in 13 years. In September of that year, 800 people attended a card-and-garden party fundraising event held at Mount St. Vincent. This event raised $1,500 to purchase warm winter wear for the girls. The garden parties became an annual event.

Beginning in 1931, the Holyoke Transcript regularly published photographs of the school's graduating classes.

In 1945, a new dormitory and classroom building was constructed. The maximum capacity of the existing structure was 55 girls. The new dormitory accommodated 75, allowing an additional 20 girls to be housed. Mount St. Vincent had been forced to decline new cases due to space constraints. M. J. Walsh Construction was awarded the $42,000 job.

St. Joseph's Hall at Mount St. Vincent was a 3.5-story building that served multiple purposes. The basement was used by tots as a playroom and by older girls for recreation. Future plans included adding a domestic science lab. The main floor had a reception area, an infirmary, and a sleeping space for older girls. The second room had smaller rooms for young girls and a playroom for preschool-age children. The third floor was used for storing clothing.

More than 700 visitors attended the St. Joseph's Hall Open House on May 17, 1946.

In 1952, the sisters were caring for 226 children: 71 girls, ages 3 to 14, at Mount St. Vincent; 92 boys, ages 6 to 14, at Holy Family Institute; and 63 boys and girls under the age of 6 at Bethlehem Nursery.

The facilities for children were aging, and the diocese undertook a plan to consolidate all children's services on a single campus. On December 8, 1954, Our Lady of Providence Home for Children was dedicated. The $3 million building contract was awarded to Daniel O'Connell's Sons Construction. 

Mount St. Vincent was converted to an alternative use, as discussed in the concluding chapter.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.

Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories

Google Maps, 2025

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map 1949

(Above Map) The 1949 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map shows the location

of the Mount St. Vincent Orphan (upper building) and 

St. Joseph's Hall dormitory (lower building), the latter completed in 1946. 

Note the arrow, which points to a triangular-shaped grassy area along the roadway. 

This grass strip and portion of pavement are still evident (pointer) on the recent 

Google Map shown below. The approximate location 

of the orphanage and dormitory is outlined below.