Timeline

Protestant Widows' and Orphans' Asylum

The orphanage is formed by a group of concerned citizens, including Sarah Leath and Judge Pettit.

The First Orphans Asylum

The orphanage escapes bohemian downtown Memphis for a more suitable place for young children.

Jane Ward Becomes Matron of Leath Orphan Asylum

Jane Ward becomes the new matron of the relocated orphanage.

Orphanage Building Completed

An Orphanage is Built.

Leath Orphan Asylum

With founder Sarah Leath's death, her legacy begins, establishing the foundation for the future.

The Civil War and Porter-Leath

Porter-Leath continues helping children despite the harshness of the ongoing Civil War.

Read more June 6, 1862 - September 4, 1865

The Yellow Fever Epidemic

The Yellow Fever ravages Memphis, creates surge of orphans.

The Asylum Grows Again with the help of the Odd Fellows

Memphis rebounds from Yellow Fever, the Odd Fellows provide major assistance to orphanage.

Turn of the 20th Century

20th Century Technology comes to the orphanage.

The Porter Home and Leath Orphanage

With the passing of a second great leader, Dr. David T. Porter, the orphanage is renamed.

The Orphanage Expands

The Detention Ward is built on the Porter Home & Leath Orphanage grounds.

The Formation of the Children's Bureau

Children's Bureau serves foster children, working in tandem with the Porter Home & Leath Orphanage.

Mr. Edwin Gould & the Building of Gould Cottage

Railroad magnate Edward Gould provides a cottage for orphaned girls.

Help from the Exchange Club

From 1927 onward, the Exchange Club of Memphis mentors, helps and encourages hundreds of orphans.

The Great Depression

Just like the Yellow Fever Epidemic, the Great Depression brings scores of orphans to the agency.

The 1940s and WW II

World War II prolongs the stay of some orphans from the Depression, brings more with soldiers abroad.

The Porter-Leath Home: a vital member of the community

With the War and Depression over, the orphanage returns to normalcy.

The 1950s Bring Change to the Porter Leath Home

Due to code changes, the orphanage receives a major face lift and renovations.

Porter-Leath & the Children's Bureau First Merger Attempt

The Children's Bureau and Porter-Leath Home merger talks sprout.

The Declining Need for Orphan Services

Despite the dire need for more space twenty years prior, the 1960s saw the end of the true orphanage.

Porter-Leath Continues to Renovate

The rest of campus is renovated to complete the rejuvenation of the campus.

The First Group Home in Memphis

With the need for an orphanage in the past, the orphanage becomes a group home.

The Birth of Porter-Leath Children's Center

After previous talks, the merger of the Porter-Leath Home and Children's Bureau materializes.

Foster Grandparent Program Begins at Porter-Leath

Porter-Leath becomes host site for Foster Grandparent Program

Porter-Leath Recognized by Shelby County Historical Commission

Porter-Leath buildings are named historical properties by the Shelby County Historical Commission.

Sarah's Place

Sarah's Place, a shelter facility for neglected and abused children, is opened.

Home Visitation Services Begin

Porter-Leath begins home visitation services for pregnant and parenting families.

Campus Makeover

Over a 5 year span, the buildings and grounds undergo massive renovations, repairs and rejuvenations.

Early Head Start Launches, Porter-Leath selected as first grantee.

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 Enters Head Start

Porter-Leath begins Head Start services with the opening of Douglass Head Start.

Porter-Leath Opens American Way Head Start

Porter-Leath expands Head Start services with the opening of American Way Head Start.

Porter-Leath Adds Golf Scramble to Rajun Cajun Festivities

Porter-Leath builds upon success of the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival and adds Golf Scramble to crawfish-related festivities.

Porter-Leath Receives G. Bradley Wanzer Jr. Award for Excellence

Annual United Way of the Mid-South Award highlights partner agency that best displays four standards of excellence.

Porter-Leath Expands Preschool Programming

Porter-Leath leverages experience to provide Pre-K for 4 year olds, beginning at KIPP: Memphis Collegiate Elementary.

Porter-Leath Acquires Frayser Head Start and Child Development Center

Porter-Leath expands Head Start services with the acquisition of Primary Prep.

Porter-Leath Breaks Ground on Early Childhood Academy

Porter-Leath begins construction of its first Early Childhood Academy.

Porter-Leath Launches Teacher Excellence Program

Porter-Leath adds programming to provide professional development for early childhood educators.

Books from Birth Joins Porter-Leath

Books from Birth merges into Porter-Leath, adding to scope of services offered by agency.

Porter-Leath Opens Early Childhood Support Center

Porter-Leath moves corporate headquarters for first time in 163 years to accommodate growing workforce.

Early Success Coalition Moves to Porter-Leath

Early Success Coalition moves to new home at Porter-Leath.

NEXT Memphis Launches

NEXT Memphis launches, increasing the number of high-quality child care providers.

Porter-Leath Opens Early Childhood Academy in Frayser

Second Early Childhood Academy opens in Frayser, reinforcing message that all children deserve a high quality early childhood education.

Porter-Leath & University of Memphis Open Early Childhood Academy at Orange Mound

Third Early Childhood Academy opens in Orange Mound, partnering with the University of Memphis to provide quality early childhood education and expanded training space for current and future early childhood professionals.