Lutheran Social Services Vasa Children’s Home, originally known as the Vasa Children’s Home, was one of the first private institutions of its kind in Minnesota. Vasa is the oldest children’s home in Minnesota and is the birthplace of Lutheran Social Services in the state.
The home started in the basement of Vasa Lutheran Church by Reverend Erik Norelius in 1865, when four orphaned children arrived in town. The need for the service was great and Norelius eventually bought 10 acres of land, where he built a wood framed structure. The acreage was used for growing food, pasture for farm animals and harvesting lumber. Eventually, more land was acquired and more buildings were erected.
The organization has a tumultuous 10 year period in the late 1800s. In July of 1872, a tornado leveled the buildings. The third structure that housed the organization was built in 1880 from money donated to the home from all around the state. That building was destroyed by a fire in 1899. Finally, calm was achieved after a newer, larger building was constructed in its place, which is now a beautifully renovated and restored, historic private residence
Vasa Children’s Home relocated in 1926 to the junction of U.S. Highway 61 and State Highway 19, between Vasa and Red Wing. Dr. AP Anderson and his family donated the 400 acre site and its buildings to insure continued services in the Red Wing Area to children in need. Vasa Children’s Home sheltered and cared for over 1,000 orphaned and neglected children, until 1954 when it changed its focus to children with disabilities.
The present Lutheran Social Service’s Vasa Children’s Home is the fifth building to house the organization. It was built in 1973 with a generous gift from the Roy Meyer Family. Located six miles west of Red Wing, MN, it is a 24-bed intermediate care facility that supports children and young adults, 7-22 years of age, with a wide range of developmental, physical, psychological, social or behavioral delays.
