Hearing their stories

To understand their story, one almost has to be there.  The third annual Lighting of the Path on West Hills Campus, the old Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children, is occurring on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The event is held to remember the 10,635 children who lived at the State School due to unfit familial situations. The orphanage was created in 1885 and was phased out in 1945. At one time, the school housed approximately 500 students. 
The orphanage consisted of an entire campus that was self-sufficient. There were 16 cottages on the grounds, nursery, hospital, school, gymnasium, laundry and residences for employees. Many, but not all, of the buildings still stand. The school had its own power plant, greenhouse, icehouse and farm animals. The school also had its own cemetery. 
Since 1974, the campus has been utilized by the city for administrative offices and related facilities. Since 1992, the “State School Kids” museum board and volunteers have been actively restoring and sharing the state school for educational and historical purposes. 
During the annual Lighting of the Path, there will be a historic luminary walk. This walk will meet at 7  p.m. by the gymnasium. Prior to the walk starting at 6 p.m., people can purchase luminaries and candles. Luminaries will be $25. One can easily personalize stickers, write the name of a child and a message with stickers. 
“Besides fundraising, which I know is important, but even more important is staying aware of these lives and the circumstances that brought them here,” said museum director Anne Peterson. “We want people to hear their stories. We don’t want that to be forgotten.”
The walk will go around the campus within reason, and the restored root cellar, which is near the cemetery and usually locked, will be open for visitors to peek into. 
The restored boy’s cottage, Cottage 11, will be open for tours before the walk. In its day, Cottage 11 housed 30-35 boys ages six to 13.
They will also be sharing information about what is not visible, including buildings that have been torn down or sites that look different. For example, where senior place now stands, there used to be a hospital and girl’s cottage. 
“We want to inform or remind people of what used to be there,” explained Peterson. 
The walk will end up at the cemetery, where children that passed away during their time at the orphanage now rest. Local historian Barry Adams will be giving a special presentation at the cemetery. Some of the graves will be marked with candles, as those will be children that Adams might have some extra information on to share with the crowd.  
Sheila Ramey has volunteered to provide some soothing music for the event; she will be playing her harp. She will perform some songs that the children sang during their time at the state school. 
Peterson said that, in the past, the event has drawn about 80 people, but they hope that interest continues to grow. Some guests that visit the campus are former residents of the state school, and can actually remember the school back in the day. 
Harvey Ronglien is one of those individuals, and Peterson said that he will be present at the event. Ronglien is author of the memoir telling of his experience growing up at the orphanage, “A Boy from C-11 Case #9164.”
Peterson said that as the years go on, there are getting to be fewer former residents alive today; however, more and more children of residents are becoming interested in their parents’ lives at the state school. “It’s amazing how many people come interested and want to know more, whether they have a connection or not,” exclaimed Peterson. 
The committee begins preparing for this event months in advance. The museum has a board and many volunteers. Shelby Zemple led the organizing committee for the Lighting of the Path ceremony. There are also multiple corporate sponsors that make the event possible. 
The event raises money for the Children Remembered: Orphanage Legacy Trust, which is, as Peterson described it, “a fund with the goal of running the day- to-day operations.” 
“We encourage all to come out. It should be a wonderful evening to share with the community,” remarked Peterson. The event will occur rain or shine, as the Arts Center is the back-up location. The event is absolutely free to the public to walk, learn and enjoy some local history!