In the late 1800s, Dr. Thomas John Barnardo sent desolate British children to Canada to “better” their lives. At first strictly orphans were sent, but later this included any child that he felt would benefit from life in a new home.

The first Barnardo children arrived in Canada in 1884. Peterborough became one of the main Canadian distribution centers between 1889 and 1922. The children stayed in Hazelbrae House until placed in homes. Prominent Peterborough resident George A. Cox donated this building to Dr. Barnardo’s cause.

Some children were placed in loving homes as was Dr. Barnardo's intent, while many others experienced hard lives suffering abuse, humiliation and neglect and sadly, many siblings were separated, with brothers or sisters even sent to different countries.

Today the representatives of the Bernardo House Group are seeking a written apology for hardships suffered by the children that were sent to the Bernardo House from Britian during the war era during which time the Canadian Government turned a blind eye to the acts performed within the Bernardo House orphanage.

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