All-Prayer Foundlings Home, Lantern Slide Photograph Collection, 1904-1931

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator:  All-Prayer Foundlings Home

Title:  Lantern Slide Collection, 1904-1931

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.

Size of Collection:  70 glass lantern slides and 1 illustration in wooden frame for viewing (.5 lin ft.).

Location Number:  012PC33

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of seventy glass lantern slides of images of foundlings, adult caregivers, biblical scenes, illustrations advocating temperance, passages of scripture, and hymns; and one illustration in wooden frame for viewing. The collection also includes a box of unused slide plates as well as several box tops and bottoms.

Historical Note

The All-Prayer Foundlings Home was established in 1905 by Lutheran Pastor George Clinton Cromer (1869-1950) and his wife Grace Orlena Kelly (abt.1877-1963) to care for orphans under the age of three. They took the name from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, in which the pilgrim relied on prayer to protect him rather than carrying a weapon. Founded on the principle that they would trust God to meet all their needs and take on no debt, other than carefully considered loans for the houses, the Cromers refused to solicit donations and instead followed the pilgrim’s example and asked God to answer their prayers.

The Cromers initially established the nonsectarian institution in their house at 1622 Story Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1918, they moved the home just over a mile away to 2305 Sycamore Avenue with twelve mothers and twenty-nine children in its care. Mrs. Comer designed a second home they had built next door specifically to meet the needs of the orphans and mothers. According to the Golden Key, a pamphlet written by Mr. Cromer to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the home, the Cromers cared for 709 children during that time, with a mortality rate of 11%. The Cromers adopted and raised three of the children who came to their home: William and Louise, who were two weeks old when adopted, and Doris, a one-year-old.

Cromer preached in churches of all denominations in fifteen states about how to live a life of prayer. The Golden Key pamphlet describes him “packing up [his] lantern and curtain and slides” after just such a talk (p.18). In another passage Cromer writes, “we have beautiful stereopticon views which we show and nearly always have some of the children from the Home along to sing and recite on the program,” (p. 34).

In forty-five years of service, the home cared for over a thousand infants and five hundred mothers. In 1947 it became a home for unwed mothers; it closed in 1969. This collection was discovered in materials removed from 2305 Sycamore Avenue, the final location of the All-Prayer Foundlings Home, and donated to the Filson Historical Society.

Container List

012PC33.01: Studio portrait of a child standing in a winter coat.
012PC33.02: Group of orphan babies and children sit for picture.
012PC33.03: Text below image reads, “Sunday School pictures. 224. W. A. Wilde Company. Bethany. Reputed Tomb of Lazarus.”
012PC33.04: Slide reads, “1809-1865, From Log-Cabin to Capitol, A. Lincoln.”
012PC33.05: “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” hymn lyrics. [Written by Robert Robinson (27 September 1735 – 9 June 1790). Lyrics ca. 1900s.]
012PC33.06: “Whosoever Will” hymn lyrics. [Written by Philip P. Bliss, published 1870.]
012PC33.07: “Where Is My Boy Tonight?” hymn lyrics. [Written by Robert Lowry, 1877.]
012PC33.08: “The Wondrous Cross” hymn lyrics. [Written by V.C. Taylor, ca. 1904-1931.]
012PC33.09-.10: “Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me.” hymn lyrics. [Written by Rev. E. Hopper, D.D., composed by J.E. Gould, Lyrics ca. 1905-1909.]
012PC33.11: “Calling to thee” hymn lyrics. [ca. 1890-1925]
012PC33.12: “Throw Out the Lifeline” hymn lyrics. [Music by Edwin S. Ufford, 1888 and arranged by George C. Stebbins, 1890.]
012PC33.13: “Oh Worship the King” hymn lyrics. [Written by Robert Grant,1833]
012PC33.14: “Sweet Name of Jesus” hymn lyrics. [Composed by George Kingsley, 1811-1884]
012PC33.15: “Jesus Shall Reign” hymn lyrics. [Arranged by Frederick M. A. Venua]
012PC33.16: “Just as I am” hymn lyrics. [Written in 1835, text by Charlotte Elliott, Melody: “Woodworth” by William B. Bradbury and others, published by Christian Remembrancer, 1835]
012PC33.17: “I rest upon the ground” hymn lyrics. [Possibly written by Paul Gernhardt, ca. 1650-1653]
012PC33.18: Slide of the Crucifixion.
012PC33.19: Slide Title: “Mother Waiting” [Produced by Stereopticon and Film ExchangeCopyright 1904 by G. W. Bond Chicago]
012PC33.20: “Rock of Ages” hymn lyrics. “Toplady. 7s. 6 lines. T. H. Hastings” [“Rock of Ages” is a popular Christian hymn by the Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady written in 1763 and first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775. Usually sung to the hymn tune “Toplady” by Thomas Hastings.]
012PC33.21: Slide Title: “Esther implores Ahasuerus” / Schopin. [Produced by T. H. McAllister, Manufacturing Optician, 49 Nassau Street, New York. Old Testament series, ca. 1887.]
012PC33.22: Original Slide No. 36: “Arch of Ecce Home. Holy Land.”
012PC33.23: Original Slide No. 55: “Donkeys Awaiting Tourists, Cairo and the Nile.”
012PC33.24: Original Slide No. 34: “Primitive Shepherd” [Produced by Moore, Bond &Co., 108 Franklin Street Chicago]
012PC33.25: Slide Title: “Evangelist shows the shining light.” Economic Series. [SERIES TITLE: “Pilgrim’s Progress I” part of the Economic Series produced by T. H. McAllister.]
012PC33.26: Slide reads, “Some ‘Let It Alone,’ Yet Suffer. A Product of “Personal Liberty.” [Produced by Maddox & Pearse 610 Avenue Louisville, Ky.]
012PC33.27: Slide Title: “Rescue of Lot.” [Produced by Stereopticon and Film Exchange. 108 Franklin St., Chicago, Ill.]
012PC33.28: Slide Title: “The Great Physician.” Text reads, “The children, too, both great and small, Who love the name of Jesus, May now accept the gracious call To work and live for Jesus.”
Set No. 787, Slide No. 5 + 6 [Original Slide No. 7] Produced by Herbert J. Riley, 68 Nassau St., New York. Trade Mark Riley Bro. [Original set has a total of 7 slides]
012PC33.29: Slide Title: “Solomon’s reception of Queen of Sheba.” Schopin. [SERIES TITLE: “Old Testament History” Produced by T. H. McAllister, Manufacturing Optician, 49 Nassau Street, New York.]
012PC33.30: Grace Orlena Kelly Cromer, wife of George Clinton Cromer, founders of the All-Prayer Foundlings Home.
012PC33.31: Man and woman in front yard playing with children and goats.
012PC33.32: All-Prayer Foundling’s Home envelope. Addressed to Mrs. L. M. Dillard 705 West Broadway City. [Produced by Furnas & Maddox 552 Fourth Avenue Louisville, Ky.]
012PC33.33: Original Slide No. 10, Slide Title: “Christian Climbing the Hill of Difficulty.” [ARTIST: Joseph Boggs Beale, SERIES TITLE: “Pilgrim’s Progress I” part of the Economic Series produced by T. H. McAllister.]
012PC33.34: Slide Title: “The Slough of Despond.” [SERIES TITLE: “Pilgrim’s Progress” part of the Economic Series produced by T. H. McAllister.]
012PC33.35: Slide Title: “The Three Shining Ones.” [ARTIST: Joseph Boggs Beale, SERIES TITLE: “Pilgrim’s Progress I” part of the Economic Series produced by T. H. McAllister.]
012PC33.36: Original Slide No. 8, Slide Title: “Passion and Patience.” [ARTIST: Joseph Boggs Beale, SERIES TITLE: “Pilgrim’s Progress I” part of the Economic Series produced by T. H. McAllister.]
012PC33.37: Original Slide No. 7, Slide Title: “Pilgrim knocking at the gate.” [SERIES TITLE: “Pilgrim’s Progress I” part of the Economic Series produced by T. H. McAllister.]
012PC33.38: Original Slide No. 2, Slide Title: “Pilgrim Parting from his Family.” [ARTIST: Joseph Boggs Beale, SERIES TITLE: “Pilgrim’s Progress I” part of the Economic Series produced by T. H. McAllister.]
012PC33.39: Original Slide No. 8, Slide Title: “At Bethel.” [Produced by Moore, Bond & Co., 108 Franklin St., Chicago.]
012PC33.40: Group of seven toddlers eating at table outside, possibly All-Prayer Foundling orphans.
012PC33.41: Two images of prints on slide “Courier of the desert” which depicts a man on a camel [The Christian at Work Publishing Company, 23 Park Row, New York] and “Brining out the music” which is an image of a boy with a flute.
012PC33.42: Unidentified storefront, undated.
012PC33.43: A barrel with “Harned Ky.” witten on the front and a sign leaned next to it reading, “Texas Ky. Learn Club”
012PC33.44: Mrs. Grace Orlena Kelly Cromer, wife of George Clinton Cromer; sits on porch steps, possibly at their home on 2305 Sycamore Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky.
012PC33.45: Original Slide No. 8, Slide Title: “Where is My Wandering Boy To Night?” [Produced by Stereopticon and Film Exchange. Copyright 1902 by G. W. Bond Chicago.]
012PC33.46: Original Slide No. 9, Slide Title: “Home Sweet Home.” [Produced by Stereopticon and Film Exchange. Copyright 1903 by G. W. Bond Chicago.]
012PC33.47: Original Slide No. 15, Slide Title: “Home Sweet Home.” [Produced by Stereopticon and Film Exchange. Copyright 1903 by G. W. Bond Chicago.]
012PC33.48: Original Slide No. 17, Slide Title: “Where is My Wandering Boy To Night?” [Produced by Stereopticon and Film Exchange. Copyright 1902 by G. W. Bond Chicago.]
012PC33.49: No original slide number, Slide Title: “Tell Mother.” [Produced by Stereopticon and Film Exchange. Copyright 1902 by G. W. Bond Chicago.]
012PC33.50: Slide of an 1891 One Hundred Dollar Silver Certificate.
012PC33.51: Illustration of a boy holding tin canisters.
012PC33.52: Toddler standing on chair, possibly an All-Prayer Foundlings orphan.
012PC33.53: Unidentified building. [Produced by Caufield & Shook. INC. Louisville, KY.] *Please contact the University of Louisville Archives and Special Collections to obtain rights and reproductions for this image.*
012PC33.54: Studio portrait of a boy in knicker suit, possibly an All-Prayer Foundlings orphan.
012PC33.55: George Clinton Cromer (1869-1950), front center, poses with group outside, ca. 1905-1915.
012PC33.56: 2305 Sycamore Avenue, second house addition. In 1918 the Cromer’s moved to 2305 Sycamore Ave. Mrs. Cromer designed this second house, and had it built next door to the first house specifically to meet the needs of the orphans and mothers of the All-Prayer Foundlings Home.
012PC33.57: 1622 Story Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky; where the All-Prayer Foundlings Home began in 1905 by George Clinton Cromer and Grace Orlena Kelly Cromer. [Produced by Caufield & Shook, INC. Louisville, KY.] *Please contact the University of Louisville Archives and Special Collections to obtain rights and reproductions for this image.*
012PC33.58: Portrait photograph of girl and boy, possibly All-Prayer Foundlings orphans.
012PC33.59: Family stands on porch outside home.
012PC33.60: Child stands outside behind cake decorated with bunnies and eggs, possibly an All-Prayer Foundling’s orphan.
012PC33.61: Studio portrait of a man posing in chair.
012PC33.62: Man sitting in chair outside.
012PC33.63: Child sitting in chair outside on patio, possibly an All-Prayer Foundlings orphan.
012PC33.64: Young boy poses outside on patio, possibly an All-Prayer Foundlings orphan.
012PC33.65: Child sitting in chair outside on patio, possibly an All-Prayer Foundlings orphan.
012PC33.66: Young girl in dress, possibly an All-Prayer Foundlings orphan, poses in curtsy position on patio, a woman stands next to her.
012PC33.67: Double exposed image. First image: Studio portrait of two women in dark dresses. Second image: Group image of the All-Prayer Foundlings children posed outside with older children and/or staff in the back row.
012PC33.68: Studio portrait of man in three-piece suit. Photograph by C. F. Havercamp, 538 Market St. Chester, PA.
012PC33.69: Woman and child pose for photograph, undated.
012PC33.70: Studio portrait of a young boy kneeling with hand resting on his face, possibly an All-Prayer Foundlings orphan.
012PC33.71: Single lever action slide of a patient sitting in a chair with leg on a wooden bench, doctor sitting on bench holding knife about to amputate patient’s leg, and a woman is hurrying behind the doctor with bowl in hand.