The orphanage is formed by a group of concerned citizens, including Sarah Leath and Judge Pettit.
The orphanage escapes bohemian downtown Memphis for a more suitable place for young children.
Jane Ward becomes the new matron of the relocated orphanage.
An Orphanage is Built.
With founder Sarah Leath's death, her legacy begins, establishing the foundation for the future.
Porter-Leath continues helping children despite the harshness of the ongoing Civil War.
The Yellow Fever ravages Memphis, creates surge of orphans.
Memphis rebounds from Yellow Fever, the Odd Fellows provide major assistance to orphanage.
20th Century Technology comes to the orphanage.
With the passing of a second great leader, Dr. David T. Porter, the orphanage is renamed.
The Detention Ward is built on the Porter Home & Leath Orphanage grounds.
Children's Bureau serves foster children, working in tandem with the Porter Home & Leath Orphanage.
Railroad magnate Edward Gould provides a cottage for orphaned girls.
From 1927 onward, the Exchange Club of Memphis mentors, helps and encourages hundreds of orphans.
Just like the Yellow Fever Epidemic, the Great Depression brings scores of orphans to the agency.
World War II prolongs the stay of some orphans from the Depression, brings more with soldiers abroad.
With the War and Depression over, the orphanage returns to normalcy.
Due to code changes, the orphanage receives a major face lift and renovations.
The Children's Bureau and Porter-Leath Home merger talks sprout.
Despite the dire need for more space twenty years prior, the 1960s saw the end of the true orphanage.
The rest of campus is renovated to complete the rejuvenation of the campus.
With the need for an orphanage in the past, the orphanage becomes a group home.
After previous talks, the merger of the Porter-Leath Home and Children's Bureau materializes.
Porter-Leath becomes host site for Foster Grandparent Program
Porter-Leath buildings are named historical properties by the Shelby County Historical Commission.
Sarah's Place, a shelter facility for neglected and abused children, is opened.
Porter-Leath begins home visitation services for pregnant and parenting families.
Over a 5 year span, the buildings and grounds undergo massive renovations, repairs and rejuvenations.
Porter-Leath is selected as the first Early Head Start grantee in Shelby County, providing services for 0-3 year olds and their families.
Porter-Leath begins Head Start services with the opening of Douglass Head Start.
Porter-Leath expands Head Start services with the opening of American Way Head Start.
Porter-Leath builds upon success of the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival and adds Golf Scramble to crawfish-related festivities.
Annual United Way of the Mid-South Award highlights partner agency that best displays four standards of excellence.
Porter-Leath leverages experience to provide Pre-K for 4 year olds, beginning at KIPP: Memphis Collegiate Elementary.
Porter-Leath expands Head Start services with the acquisition of Primary Prep.
Porter-Leath begins construction of its first Early Childhood Academy.
Porter-Leath adds programming to provide professional development for early childhood educators.
Books from Birth merges into Porter-Leath, adding to scope of services offered by agency.
Porter-Leath moves corporate headquarters for first time in 163 years to accommodate growing workforce.
Early Success Coalition moves to new home at Porter-Leath.
NEXT Memphis launches, increasing the number of high-quality child care providers.
Second Early Childhood Academy opens in Frayser, reinforcing message that all children deserve a high quality early childhood education.