Nina McKissock
asked
Kim van Alkemade:
Why is the architecture of orphanages in the past resemble medieval castles? They're so grandiose.
Kim van Alkemade
Hi Nina! I think they were following the style of the time. In the late 1880s, public buildings often had a similar architecture. When the Hebrew Orphan Asylum was commissioned, it may have looked like a castle but it was designed to function as an efficient and healthy home for a thousand children. It eventually filtered its own water, had its own generator, and was completely self sufficient--even when the blizzard of 1888 shut down the city for over a week!
More Answered Questions
Marty Siegel
asked
Kim van Alkemade:
Kim, I just learned about your book, Orphan Number 8. Do you have any further interest in learning more about the Hebrew Orphan Assylum? My father, Harry and his brother Seymour both grew up there, and are still living. Harry is 91 and living in Minnesota; Seymour is 96 (still playing racquetball once a week) and living in Marlton, NJ. My father, Harry, just signed up to get his copy of your book.
Margot Bennett
asked
Kim van Alkemade:
This was just an amazing book to read. Thank you for your research into this party of history. The book was so incredibly well written, one of the few books I can say I could not put down. Thank you for your insight and I look forward to any more books you may write. Ha, see I have to end this with a question? Any more books planned on historical fiction?
Marilyn (not getting notifications)
asked
Kim van Alkemade:
I am so glad that I was able to read Orphan #8. I put my name on a list at our local library. As soon as I started reading it I couldn't wait to read more. It was so informative. I learned so much about the Jewish Orphanages and the experiments that were performed on the orphans from your book. I can't wait to see what you write next. What subject matter are you exploring? Thanks, Marilyn
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