06/16/2026
Bygone Businesses: The Poulsbo Orphans Home.
Built in 1902 by the West Coast Lutheran School and Charity Association on properties donated by I. Tollefson, the Poulsbo Orphans Home provided shelter, education, and vocational training for children in need. In 1903, the trustees purchased a 40-acre tract nearby for wood cutting, farming and pasture. This provided fruit, vegetables, dairy products, beef, and pork needed at the home and gave the boys work experience. In 1908, a bequest funded the construction of the Ebenezer Old Folks Home on five acres on the southeast corner of the property. Today, the institution is known as Martha and Mary.
The 2nd photo (courtesy of Poulsbo Historical Society & Museums) shows the 1920 Childrens’ Home Day Celebration. The annual event commemorated the founding of the Martha and Mary Childrens’ Home in 1891. Over time, the orphanage evolved into a home for troubled boys before closing in the 1950s. It was later replaced by the current Martha and Mary senior living facility. The Childrens’ Home Day celebration is now known as Viking Fest.