The fate of the historic building at 161 S. Huntington Ave., the former site of the Home for Little Wanderers, is still undecided. But even if the 1914 building is cleared away for luxury apartments, one piece of history will not be destroyed.
A Tiffany & Co. stained-glass window that depicts Jesus Christ blessing little children has been removed from the building. The window is five feet in diameter and has the words “Suffer little children to come unto me” imprinted at the top. Tiffany is a famous luxury goods company headquartered in New York City.
The window has been a backdrop to famous visitors, such as famed comedian Bob Hope, who performed for the children sometime during the 1950s, according to Home spokesperson Heather MacFarlane
“It’s obviously an important part of our history,” she said.
She said the Home is currently preserving the window in storage and has noted decided where its final destination will be. But, she said, the window will be placed somewhere where it can be “showcased.”
The Tiffany window was donated when the Home was at its prior location at 202 W. Newton St. in the South End. When the Home moved to the Jamaica Plain location in 1914, the window came, too. According to a Boston Globe article provided by MacFarlane, Rev. V. A. Cooper, a former superintendent of the Home, gave the window in 1901 to honor his late wife Elizabeth, who had also worked at the charity.
Bob Hope (left) performing for children in front of the Tiffany stained-glass window in the 1950s. (Photo Courtesy Home for Little Wanderers)