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History

Our Story

James J. Davis – who later would serve as Secretary of Labor to three Presidents, then 14 years in the U.S. Senate – agreed late in 1906 to take on the job of recruiting members into the then-faltering Moose organization, on the basis of eventually using members’ pooled resources to create a home and school where dependent widows of Moose members could take their children.

The history of Mooseheart Child City & School is inextricably intertwined with that of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Women of the Moose, two organizations whose stupendous growth during the first quarter of the 20th century was inspired by the idea of creating this beautiful home and community for children in need.

Mooseheart’s timeline

1911

1912

1913

1913

1913

1914

1920s

1945

1960s

1980S

1990S

1994

1998

2001

2003

2013

2022

2024

Mooseheart’s Superintendents & Executive Directors

  • Rodney Brandon 1913-1916
  • Matthew Adams 1916-1927
  • Ernest Roselle 1927-1935
  • W. J. Leinweber 1935-1948
  • Richard Aspinall 1948-1953
  • Rodney Brandon 1953
  • Walter Ketz 1954-1974
  • Robert Hanke 1974-1980
  • Robert Zaininger 1980
  • Dr. Michael Sestak 1981-1991
  • Carmen Freda 1991-1998
  • David Coughlin 1998-1999
  • Dale Jones 1999-2000
  •  Bobby Gilliam 2000-2003
  •  Scott Hart 2003- 2012
  • Gary L. Urwiler 2012-Present

A Tribute to Our Founders

At Mooseheart, our story is one of vision, compassion, and determination—a legacy built on the unwavering commitment of our founders. Guided by their belief in the strength of community and the power of giving, they laid the foundation for an enduring mission: to provide a nurturing home and brighter future for children and families in need.

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