1895
A year after moving to Columbus, Mississippi, to lead the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, William States Jacobs calls on his church to establish a home to care for children in need. Palmer Orphanage is awarded a formal charter.
1899
Palmer Orphanage officially opens with 20 boys and girls in its care, doubling its numbers and adding more dormitories within five years.
1903
By this year, Rev. H.E. McClure was serving as superintendent of Palmer Home. The institution was caring for 43 children annually with a monthly operating expense of $250.
1919
John Frierson takes his father’s place as superintendent of Palmer Home, continuing William Frierson’s legacy of investing in each child’s spiritual development. The Frierson family embraced the children in their care, transforming the orphanage into a large, loving family.
1950s
After the orphanage and its people withstood some of the country’s most difficult times in history, including World Wars I and II and the Great Depression, J.O. “Papa Joe” Davis was named superintendent and transitioned Palmer to cottage-style family housing.
1960s
In the 1960s, Palmer Home transitioned from traditional dormitory-style housing to cottage-style family housing, aiming to provide a more family-like environment for the children.
1970s
Palmer Orphanage no longer described the home setting it offered. This was reflected in its name change—it would now be known as Palmer Home.
1981
Palmer Home voted to become independent of direct church control yet retained its Christ-centered mission and involvement with churches throughout the country.
1990
Palmer Home purchased land to expand the ministry to Hernando, Mississippi.
1995
Palmer Home celebrated 100 years of service.
1997
Palmer Home installed greenhouses on the Columbus campus to help children learn to grow plants and vegetables.
2000
Palmer Home expanded by opening a second campus in Hernando, Mississippi, to accommodate more children and extend its services.
2000s
Palmer Home developed and solidified expansion plans for the Hernando campus by building three cottage-style homes, Hope Chapel, and Grace Home for the campus director.
2010
In 2010, Palmer Home for Children introduced the Shotguns & Sunflowers Soiree, a Garden and Gun-themed dinner party celebrating Southern culture, cuisine, and live music. The event aimed to raise vital funds and awareness for the organization's mission to provide hope and healing to vulnerable children.
2012
Current President and CEO Drake Bassett took the helm of Palmer Home, focusing on expanding the scope of care.
2013
In 2013, SuperTalk Mississippi Media hosted the first annual Radiothon benefiting Palmer Home for Children. The inaugural Radiothon set the stage for what would become a yearly tradition, growing in impact and engagement with each passing year. Since its inception, the event has played a crucial role in sustaining and expanding Palmer Home’s programs, ensuring that children receive the love, support, and resources they need to thrive.
2014
Palmer Home established Whole Child Initiative, a model of care designed to address the unique and varying physical, educational, spiritual and emotional needs of each child in Palmer Home’s care. This approach helps caregivers guide children through their trauma and into better capacities to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities. Palmer Home partnered with Jonah’s Journey in Nashville, Tennessee to expand services to children of incarcerated mothers.
2016
In 2016, Palmer Home for Children introduced the inaugural Ole Miss Tailgate for Palmer, a unique event held at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium designed to celebrate Ole Miss football with the organization's mission to support children in need.
2017
Three new cottage-style homes were constructed and dedicated on the Hernando campus.
2019
Palmer Home embraced a new strategic direction by building on its residential history, now termed Campus Care, and introduced three new service lines: Foster Care, Family Care, and Transitional Care. The Palmer Home board of directors voted to close the historic Columbus campus and consolidate all residential Campus Care activities to the campus in Hernando. The inaugural Mississippi State Tailgate for Palmer was held for the first time at the Gridiron Club at Davis Wade Stadium.
2020
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Palmer Home for Children swiftly adapted to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and families under its care. Recognizing the increased challenges posed by the pandemic, the organization anticipated a growing need for its services and remained steadfast in its mission to provide a safe haven for vulnerable children.
2021
In 2021, Palmer Home for Children introduced the inaugural Shoot for Hope Sporting Clays Tournament.
2022
Palmer Home celebrated the opening of the Dr. Hugh Francis, Jr. Wellness Center, 25,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that welcomes all to Palmer Home. With classrooms, counseling suites, therapy rooms and recreational areas, the Wellness Center provides a space for hope and healing in accordance with our Whole Child Initiative.
2023
Palmer Home for Children expanded its commitment to holistic care by launching Palmer School, an on-campus educational program designed to meet the unique academic and developmental needs of children in Palmer Home’s care.
2024
In April 2024, Palmer Home for Children celebrated the 20th Annual Mudbug Bash in Hernando, Mississippi.
2025
Palmer Home for Children celebrates its 130th anniversary, marking over a century of dedicated service to children in need from a single facility in Columbus, Mississippi, to a multifaceted organization offering various programs where children can heal, grow, and thrive.
