"They stand straightest who stoop to help a little child"

I'm sure that many people have driven north on Yonge Street [Hwy. 11] at one time or another and have passed through the town of Richmond Hill. How many, I wonder, have ever taken the time to stop and visit the Loyal True Blue and Orange Home. This landmark of Orangeism has identified the benevolent work of the Loyal True Blue and Orange Lodges since 1923. For over 100 years the Loyal True Blue Association in Canada has taken an active interest in children's welfare. It was in 1889 that Mrs Joseph Hilton, a member of Lady Verner True Blue Lodge in Toronto, became concerned that facilities for Protestant orphans were totally inadequate.

As a result she spearheaded a drive at the True Blue Grand Lodge in 1890 that resulted in the appointment of an orphanage board. The idea caught the imagination of True Blue members throughout the province of Ontario and through the initiative of the Picton Lodge property was obtained and on August 23, 1899, the orphanage was declared open at Picton, Ontario. It soon became apparent that accommodation was far less than required, but the project itself had met with great acceptance by lodge members. By 1916 the Provincial Grand Orange Lodges of Ontario East and West had shown their support and were added to the Board of Management and in 1919 the property at Richmond Hill was purchased.

In 1920 members of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association in Ontario East and West joined in the project. On October 22, 1921, the cornerstone was laid for the Richmond Hill building by H.C. Hocken, the then Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada, and the unity of the Blue and Orange became visible in the spacious building which was officially opened on Dominion Day, 1923 with W.W. Fitzgerald presiding.

The dedicatory prayer was said by Reverend W.L.L. Lawrence, and giving Grand Lodge approval was the Grand Master of Canada, the Honourable W.D. McPherson K.C., accompanied by H.C. Hocken M.P. The True Blues were represented by George Farley, Grand Master, and the L.O.B.A. was honoured by the presence of Mary Cullum, their founder and first Grand Mistress. The event aroused interest throughout the entire country and to this day citizens of all denominations point with pride to the landmark at Richmond Hill. Each year the Home holds 'Open House', a special occasion when visitors and former residents are welcomed.