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A History of Service

The history and development of Washburn Center for Children is linked to the history and development of Minnesota. Founded as the Washburn Memorial Orphan Asylum in 1883 through a bequest from Cadwallader Washburn, co-founder of the Washburn-Crosby Milling Company, Washburn Center for Children has evolved over the last 125 years to meet the changing needs of children and families. The orphanage closed in 1924, and for over 20 years the Washburn Foster Home Placement Agency provided placement and support services for children going into foster care. In 1951 the agency responded to the changing needs of the community by establishing the Washburn Memorial Clinic to provide diagnostic study and treatment of children with learning and behavioral problems. In 1975 Washburn Center for Children was approved as a Community Mental Health Center, committed to providing effective community-based assessment, therapeutic and consultation services to all children and families regardless of their ability to pay. While names and services have changed over time, Washburn Center for Children has remained focused on Cadwallader Washburn’s vision to provide help to children “without question or distinction as to age, sex, race, color or religion.”