- This article is about the institutions for orphans. For the band, see Orphanage (band).
An orphanage is an institution dedicated to caring for orphans (children without living parents). Orphanages often attempt to find homes for children in their care. They may be privately or publicly funded.
The term is sometimes also used to denote institutions where children reside without cohabiting parents, irrespective of the life status of the latter. In many works of fiction (notable Oliver Twist and Annie) the administrators of orphanage are depicted as cruel monsters.
The largest existing orphanage in the United States is the Bethesda Orphanage, founded in 1740 by George Whitefield. Another famous American orphanage is Girls and Boys Town, located outside Omaha, Nebraska.
Many orphanages are run by religious organisations.
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