Lydia Moss Bradley was a petite woman who lost her husband and all six children, but she turned her sorrow into long-lasting legacies in Peoria and beyond. Follow the journey of this strong woman, from her humble beginnings in Indiana through her death. Lydia quadrupled her late husband’s estate while at the same time making significant contributions to the community.
As a philanthropist, she donated the land for Laura Bradley Park, was instrumental in creating the current Children’s Home, became a board member of a large bank, paid the mortgage for the then Universalist Church, provided the house for the first hospital of what is now OSF Saint Francis HealthCare and created a horology school that would later be incorporated into Bradley Polytechnic Institute. Entrepreneur, philanthropist, enthusiast of children’s charities and education, Lydia was truly ahead of her time.
