Chenango County Valley Home 50th Anniversary - 1948

Chenango County Valley Home

24 Canasawacta St., Norwich, Chenango Co., NY

50th Anniversary - 1948

 

 

Cornerstone Laying Ceremonies - 1898

To the left of the stone, reading from left to right are:  Mrs. Eppenetus Winsor, Mrs. Harvey Thompson, Mrs. T.D. Miller, Mrs. A.F. Gladding, Mrs. Linn Babcock, Mrs. H. Oscar Hale, Mrs. W. Porter Chapman, Mrs. Charles W. Lampher, Mrs. George Dunham, Miss Carrie Manning, Mrs. J.B. Turner, Cyrus B. Martin, R.E. Rindge, Rev. Henry D. Stebbins, Dr. Leroy J. Brooks and T.D. Miller,  In background stands Thomas K. Macksey and his two daughters.

The approaching Thanksgiving season, a time when food contributions are made by many Norwich residents to the Chenango Valley Home, is of special significance as this marks the 50th anniversary of the home.  In the year of 1898 the cornerstone was layed for the Chenango Valley Home for Aged People. Prior to that time Mrs. Harvey Thompson had advanced the idea that a group of women should find a place in which to care for the aged and infirm.  In August of 1896 the board had been granted a charter and was legally incorporated.  The managers "leased rooms in a desirable part of the village where they could house a few old people while looking ahead to eventually building a home."

 

In October of 1896 an invitation was extended through The Telegraph for residents to see the home on Henry street what they had and what was needed.  In the Nov. 21, 1896 issue The Telegraph states:  "The managers of the Chenango Valley Home desire to express their cordial thanks for the many substantial tokens of good will and appreciation which they have already received.  They have thought that at this season when the families of the vicinity and elsewhere are putting down their winter supplies of meat, they might find it in their hearts to donate some small portion to the home.  Arrangements have been  made by which such gifts can be preserved, and any such will be most gratefully received."

 

Early history records that when the home was first opened there was one old man registered as a resident but from that time on no man has had the courage to enter except as a caller.

 

Over a long period of years school children of the city  have made their annual Thanksgiving season gifts of foods to the home. The home association had support from annual membership fees of $1 a year with honorary life memberships $30.  When the home was launched six prominent business men served on the advisory board and physicians offered their service gratis to the aged residents.

 

The first board of women managers included:  Mrs. Harvey Thompson, president; Mrs. H.M. Crydenwise, Mrs. A.F. Gladding, Mrs. D.L. Follett, Mrs. J.B. Turner, Mrs. E.W.Griffith, Mrs. J.H. Latham, Mrs. C.W. Lampher, Mrs. T.D. Miller, Mrs. D.M. Holmes, Mrs. L.C. Hayes, Mrs. L.H. Fitch, Mrs. W.H. Button, Mrs. Eppenetus Winsor and Mrs. Linn Babcock. The following year Mr. W.P. Chapman succeeded Mrs. Crydenwise on the board and Mrs. George T. Dunham was elected secretary.

 

The board felt it advisable to proceed until sufficient pledges insured success in their efforts for a permanent building. As a site for the home Cyrus Martin gave the lot on the corner of Canasawacta and Fair streets where the home now stands, as well as a substantial amount of money.  Other men took out lists of names to secure pledges. T.D. Miller was particularly active in this respect.  "Sunshine" buttons were sold to school children at a small amount and these were worn with great pride by youngsters.

 

The Morning Sun of July 21, 1898 carried the story of the awarding of the building contract to Edward J. Elliott.  "It is to be of brick, timed with bluestone from the west hill quarries. The edifice will be two stories high with attic and Gothic roof with dormer windows on four sides.  Space on the first floor is to be taken up by the matron's rooms, the directors' room and sitting room for inmates, two bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, pantry and lavatory.  The second floor will be divided into 10 bedrooms with large closets out of each and bathrooms.  The work will be begun at once and the home is to be finished by February 1, 1899."  Capacity of the home is 12 residents in addition to the matron.  Capacity has always been carried and still is.

 

To return to the present, rising prices for food and labor created great anxiety among board members.  Generous bequests this past year have been received from the estates of Mrs. Merton Holmes and James Marquis.  These bequests and other generous gifts during the year have made it possible to redecorate the rooms and create a  more cheerful atmosphere.  The greater share of the bequests has been added to the endowment fund of the home.

 

As was done for the first time 50 years ago, the board again this year invites school children and other citizens to participate in the annual Thanksgiving donation for the home.  Canned foods, fruits, vegetable, soups, juices, jellies, jams, winter vegetables, such as squash, cabbage and potatoes are most gratefully received. Children will take their donations to their school from which they will be collected by truck next Tuesday and carried to the home.  Other residents may leave their contributions at the home, 24 Canasawacta.  Throughout this city and vicinity it is a 50-year tradition and custom to help make Thanksgiving at the home a period of thanksgiving throughout the year.

 

The present board of the home is headed by Mrs. C.M. Higley as president; Mrs. John M. Stewart, first vice president; Mrs. Joseph M. Forsythe, second vice president; Mrs. F. Leonard Burchard, third vice president; Mrs. Otis A. Thompson, treasurer; Mrs. Kenneth Stead, recording secretary; Mrs. John B. Meola, corresponding secretary.  Other board members are:  Mrs. W.H. Dunne, Mrs. John Turner, Mrs. Frank E. Skinner, Miss Margaret Manley, Mrs. J. Leo Weller, Mrs. W.C. Hazard, Mrs. Leigh Bowman and Mrs. Floyd Tice.