History

Our History

With roots tracing to 1919, what is now known as the Munroe-Meyer Institute has provided more than a century of caring for children with disabilities. This section explores the individuals and organizations responsible for the support and growth of our services and follows a timeline of our evolution.

Hattie B. Munroe Home 1959

It was a typical summer day in 1926 at the big red brick home that the resident kids came to simply call "Hattie B." Confined to bed with her body in a cast, Gertrude sang "Polly Wolly Doodle" at the top of her lungs. Outside, kids were playing a game of tag. Tommy fell down, calmly picked himself up, placed his crutches back under his arms, and resumed his running. Another boy, Johnny, didn't join in the game, walking slowly with the aid of crutches across the yard. But given his progress, perhaps one day he would be able to engage in such play. Just a year earlier, the boy had been unable to stand, only getting around by crawling.

From the beginning, it's clear that Hattie B. Munroe Home for Convalescing Crippled Children was making a mark.

Excerpt from, "A Century of Caring - The History of the Munroe-Meyer Institute" by Henry J. Cordes.