Ceremony honors children who died at the ‘Colored Orphan Asylum'
A ceremony was held Wednesday to remember the children who died at the "Colored Orphan Asylum." The asylum was originally built in Manhattan in 1836, but later moved to Riverdale. Many of the children
News 12 Staff
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Jun 9, 2016, 1:29 AM
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Updated 2,871 days ago
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A ceremony was held Wednesday to remember the children who died at the "Colored Orphan Asylum."
The asylum was originally built in Manhattan in 1836, but later moved to Riverdale.
Many of the children died before the age of 3 from pneumonia, tuberculosis and other illnesses. They were buried in unmarked graves at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla.
For decades, there had been no marker to memorialize the lives or deaths of the 57 people buried there.
Jim Boyer, 86, was sent to the orphanage when he was just 2 years old, but says he has pleasant memories.
"I thought it was a very good experience," he said. "I have fond memories of Riverdale. In fact, I still think back to it. "
