Xenia was chosen because people from Greene County had long been interested in the plight of the veterans' families, and Reverend P.C.

Lincoln challenged the states to bind up the wounds of the Civil War by meeting the needs of widows and orphans created by the conflict.

[2] The home conducted church services, established a regular school curriculum as well as education in several trades, started a library, and supplied on-site medical attention.

The list of trades is impressive, including tin smithing; wood carving; knitting; dress making; tailoring; farm, florist, and garden work; butchering and slaughtering; telegraphy, and blacksmithing.

The campus of the former Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home is located in the southeastern corner of the city of Xenia, close to US 35 and US 68.