The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will dedicate a new historical marker in Lexington to honor an organization’s long-term efforts to help women in need.
The ceremony will take place May 9 at 10 a.m. at 519 W. Fourth St., site of the former Florence Crittenton Home.
The facility opened in 1894 as the House of Mercy to provide a home for single pregnant women. In 1921 it became affiliated with Florence Crittenton Homes, a national organization that businessman Charles Crittenton founded in memory of his daughter.
The Lexington site operated for 118 years as staff and volunteers provided social and medical services to women and girls with help from donors, schools, churches, hospitals and the government.
The Florence Crittenton Home closed in 2013. The marker is dedicated to former residents, their babies and caregivers.
More than 2,200 historical markers statewide tell Kentucky’s history. KHS administers the Kentucky Historical Marker Program in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
