Home: The United Methodist Children’s Home at DeKalb History Center Museum

Explore the history of a place that stood as a beacon of care and stability for generations of children and families in Georgia. Home: The United Methodist Children’s Home traces the organization from its founding in 1871 through its continued work as Wellroot Family Services.

Historic and contemporary photographs, along with first-hand oral histories from former residents, employees and volunteers, offer a human perspective on life at the “Orphan’s Home” from 1943 to 2017.

Documented through interviews and photography by Beate Sass, with interview assistance from Moira Bucciarelli, the exhibit brings together visual storytelling and lived experience to illuminate the legacy of the institution and its role in the community.

The story continues beyond the institution’s closure, as the former campus has been reimagined as Decatur Legacy Park, preserving historic structures while serving new community purposes.

Dates: January 1 – December 31, 2026

Venue: DeKalb History Center Museum

More Info: View exhibit details