Cradle Beach: The Buffalo Fresh Air Mission's Summer Camp

1900 Buffalo Express photo of Cradle Beach fundraising using a "street piano."

Founded between 1888-1890 by the Universalist Church, the Fresh Air Mission soon was governed by a nondenominational
board of wealthy Buffalo citizens. In 1891, 400 children spent a week in Angola at Cradle Beach Camp.. Of all the charities
supported by Buffalo's citizens, Cradle Beach had the most popular appeal. Donation campaigns annually urged people to
"save the babies" by large donations or by pennies dropped into 'cradle banks' placed in local stores.

1901 altered photo of children arriving at Cradle Beach Camp. The four healthy, energetic, well-dressed children at the bottom of the photo were painted
into the photo before it was published in Buffalo Express.

The Charity Organization Society, the city's private charity coalition, selected poor city children to attend. Many were
Italian, all "needy and deserving." The Fresh Air Mission hoped that the childrens' experience in the countryside would give
them"a taste for better things that may very possibly raise their ideals for life, and make them into useful citizens."
(Quotes from the Report of the Fresh Air Mission, 1893-94.)

Cradle Beach Camp, located on 66 acres along the shore in Angola, continues. In 2006, the camp serves
around 850 disadvantaged and disabled children. It retains its popular appeal for donors.