Retirement Homes Melrose Massachusetts

Historical Perspective

One day in October 1916, Mrs Sarah E. Fitch was discussing her will with a friend, as her husband had recently passed away. She said, "What would you think of providing a fund to establish a Home for the Older Citizens of Melrose ?"

The response was enthusiastically favorable; and as a result, her will was made with certain bequests to her relatives and the remainder to three trustees: Wallace R. Lovett, Frank M. Hoyt and Edward J. Kitching, with explicit instructions to establish and maintain a Home in Melrose for deserving elderly persons of either sex.

The Trustees visited existing Homes for the Aging and observed methods and conditions for admittance, house rules and policies to help them formulate the policies for the new Home. It was decided to begin operations in a small way at the former home of Mrs. Fitch, located at 12 Lake Avenue, Melrose Massachusetts.

On November 20, 1918, seven months after Mrs. Fitch passes away, the Home was opened to five residents. The third floor was altered to conform to the building code. From the beginning, the Trustees determined that this should always be a real Home, not an institution, with minimum restrictions, and maximum comfort with a warm friendly atmosphere.