THE MASONIC HOME AND HOSPITAL

 

The Masonic Home and Hospital, known throughout the world for its leadership in the study of gerontology, is situated among the hills which overlook Community Lake from the southwest. The 88 acre parcel of land on which it was established more than three – quarters of a century ago was once owned and cultivated by the Oneida Community, and an interesting parallel might be seen between the noted geriatric institution and the curious sect of “Christian Perfectionists”, which once comprised the local commune. As the village of Wallingford gained Community Lake through the efforts of the Community people who had dammed the rushing waters of the Quinnipiac for power, so the nation and the world share in study and research which the Masonic fraternity and the Order of the Eastern Star supports, as it tends to the care and treatment of its own aged.

Masonic records show that agitation for a Masonic Home continued for at least thirty years before the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, chartered in 1889, purchased the property in Wallingford in 1894 for $17,500. The first facilities, dedicated as the Masonic Home on September 25, 1895, offered 32 refurbished sleeping rooms in a large wooden building. The dedication ceremony was attended by many members of the Order of the Eastern Star, who heard Grand Master Luke Lockwood describe it as “the greatest event of the century in Connecticut”.

Some Chapters, like Ruby Chapter, chartered a special train and had special rates to attend the dedication ceremony. Generous offerings from individuals, Masonic Lodges, and constituent organizations of Masonry completely furnished the building. Although there were only 34 Chapters in Connecticut, most of them participated and long before there was any thought of a hospital, the Order of the Eastern Star furnished the rooms; Electa, Myrtle, and Meridian Chapters each took charge of a complete room, and other Chapters contributed furniture and money. The Grand Chapter furnished the Assembly room. From the start, the O.E.S. was a co-worker with the Masonic fraternity in providing for its necessities, and fraternal good will of many prominent Masons who were formerly not in sympathy with the Order.

Luke A. Lockwood served as president of the original Board of Managers, whose ranks included PGP William B. Hall. PGP Clark Buckingham was the first superintendent of the Home, and when he died in 1900, Mr. Hall acted as temporary superintendent until June. The Board of Visitors of the Masonic Home, whose first meeting was held on June 4, 1896, included the Worthy Grand Matron, who visited the Home several times a year. Ida Fisk, WGM, reported in 1897 stating “always finding everything in good order, neat and clean; the inmates cheerful and happy, with always a good word for the Home, the superintendent and the Matron. I feel that they are greatly in need of better accommodations for the “sick”. She signed her name to a petition for a hospital, and urged the Order of the Eastern Star to assist the Masons in caring for the aged and dependent ones. The hospital did not become a reality until 1926, but before that time, the Grand Chapter equipped two rooms which were used for the hospital for many years.

Ruth Huntoon, WGM was most enthusiastic regarding the Masonic Home, and through her efforts, a day was set apart to be called “Masonic Home Day” on which each Chapter in the state raised funds in whatever way the Chapter saw fit for benefit of the Masonic Home. In 1900 and for a number of years, this day was an annual affair, and resulted in great quantities of sheets, towels, pillow cases, quilts, table covers, fruit and other items being given, in addition to hundreds of dollars in cash, which was deposited in the Masonic Home fund.

The Grand Matron consulted the superintendent, and decided how to spend that year’s contributions. Even the very young Chapters furnished rooms. Lady Washington in 1902, Stellar and Cromwell in 1911, and Hartford Chapter in 1919 took on the projects. At Bigelow Chapter’s 12th anniversary, a silk bed quilt was raffled, realizing $125 for the home. For the seventh anniversary of the Home in 1902, the O.E.S. made the first real improvement to the Home when they equipped the building with electricity at a cost of $550, making it possible to dispense with the tallow candles and kerosene lamps.

For the first year that the Masonic Home was in operation, a report shows there were 18 members admitted, and the operating cost was $3,963. At the end of the second year, there were 17 males and 7 females in the Home. Before the Home was ten years old, it became difficult to find items that were really needed, so they spent only 25% of the money earned for the Home and laid aside 75% to be an O.E.S. Masonic Home Fund, believing that by doing this, that in a few years, they would have enough money to put up their own building to accommodate members. The fund was administered by a Board of Trustees, appointed by the Grand Matron. The Grand Chapter helped generously in the operation of the Home, yet it was keenly aware that only a portion of the members could benefit. The original scope of the Masonic Charity Foundation was to take care of a Mason, his widow and his children.

Then, in 1907, the Masonic Charity Foundation decided that the list of those eligible for the Masonic Home should be increased, so that members of the Order of the Eastern Star could be admitted. But unfortunately, the wording of the charter amendment said that the Masonic Charity Foundation would take care of a Mason, his mother, his widow, his wife, his daughter, his sister, and his minor or orphan children. This meant that all the adult daughters and adult sisters of a Master Mason were eligible, and in many cases, whole families could be admitted, all on the membership of one Mason. This policy was in effect for 14 years. But it took only a few years and the Home was filled, and financing became a crucial factor. Furthermore, it was found that there were other types of O.E.S. members who were excluded, so in 1920, the charter was again amended, this time to include any female who belonged to the O.E.S. in Connecticut, and right away, five Sisters were admitted.

The eligibility of the members of O.E.S. to the Home placed a greater burden on the Grand Chapter, but the members proved equal to the challenge. The subordinate Chapters gave generously to the Masonic Home day offering and presented gifts of supplies. A committee of three, one new member each year, was elected at Grand Chapter to serve as an O.E.S. Hospital Committee; their duty was to make quarterly visits to the hospital. They consulted the superintendent of the Home regarding needs and then arranged for the supplies or the work to be done.

With the increased need for funds in 1919, the law known as Section 55, of the Constitution was enacted which created the Robert Morris Fund and required each Chapter to contribute to the relief fund. Under Section 55, the O.E.S. Hospital Fund, and the Robert Morris Fund shared the proceeds from the Masonic Home Day projects – 50% for supplies and equipment at the hospital and 50% for relief. Realizing that the time would come when a larger hospital would be a reality, the Grand Chapter endeavored to build up the Masonic Home Fund by transferring $1000 annually for five years from the General Fund. And in 1924, each member was taxed $1.00 for the purpose of equipping the new building, to be called the Eastern Star Hospital of the Masonic Home. More than $30,000 was expended for this equipment.

In 1930, more than $15,000, the total amount remaining in the Masonic Home Fund was transferred to the O.E.S. Hospital of the Masonic Home Fund, but only supplies and equipment were purchased. For the years 1931 – 34, contributions were made from the Robert Morris Relief Fund to the Masonic Charity Foundation in appreciation for the care given to the members. In 1934, a voluntary contribution of more than $9,000 was given from the O.E.S. Hospital Fund, and from then on, bills of the Masonic Home were paid from this fund. In 1939, Section 55 was altered and the Robert Morris Fund was separated from the Hospital fund. An annual assessment of 50 cents per member was made; this was increased to $1.00 in 1946 and, with the exception of a one dollar special assessment in some years, is the only mandatory collection made for this most worthwhile charity, the Home. Since 1934, when the Grand Chapter ceased direct purchase of equipment for the hospital, the Grand Chapter contributed two million dollars to the Masonic Charity Foundation for care of the O.E.S. Sisters.

All other monies are derived from the O.E.S. Endowment Fund, begun in 1926 when a bequest of $500 was made by Louise M. Johnson of Harmony Chapter No. 35 to the O.E.S. Hospital of the Masonic Home, to be kept as an O.E.S. Endowment Fund, the interest only to be used for expenses of the hospital. Chapters and individuals added to this fund, which is under the care of the Eastern Star Charity Foundation, and at present represents more than a million dollars.

In 1907, Ellie Chapin saw that the Assembly Room at the Home was in poor condition, and asked Chapters to help renovate it. She collected $267; a new carpet was made and laid. Chairs were recovered, ten window shades were made, the walls painted, and new linen was purchased and made into table covers. But this proved to be only “a lick and a promise”, because in 1910, the proceeds from the Masonic Home Day had to be used for a new ceiling and in 1911, for a hardwood floor.

The first Masonic Home picnic was held in 1911. Eighteen Sisters from Lady Washington Chapter went to the Home by train, carrying enough food for themselves and the fifty-two members who resided there. There was roast chicken, pie and all the fixings. All the food had to be carried up the hill from the depot. The next year Bellville and Cromwell Chapters were invited to participate, and it became an annual affair. Bellville Chapter always took a bunch of bananas, and it was a problem to see that it arrived safely. In the evenings, entertainment was presented, and it is questionable as to who had the most fun, those who were entertained or those who put on the show! Once a near tragedy occurred when the trolley car, with all the treasured food supply in the front vestibule, slipped on the wet rails and crashed into a horse drawn van. The trolley was put out of commission and the food was covered with glass, but it was salvaged and the group continued eventually to its destination, shaken but none the worse for the experience.

H. Wales Lines, president of the Board of Visitors of the Masonic Charity Foundation, solicited donations from Masonic Lodges and Eastern Star Chapters for Christmas, and each of the home family received about $12, which enabled them to have extra comforts, and even luxuries. This custom continued, and the Chapters respond even today, many of them sending the collections taken at their Vesper Services for this cheer fund.

It was also upon the request of Mr. Lines that Orient, Radiant, Georgia, and Cromwell Chapters volunteered to send the periodicals, The Christian Herald, Modern Priscilla, Delineator, and Woman’s World to the Masonic Home. The Grand Chapter, for many years, paid the subscription to the Ladies Home Journal. Many Grand Matrons made the purchase of equipment for the Home and Hospital their special projects. Some of the items included the piano acquired by Ruth Allen, a doctor’s movable medical cabinet by Eleanor Lewis, chairs in the auditorium by Marie Woodmancy, cardio-graphic machine by Pearl Neilson, new mattresses by Evelyn Rappa, and musical equipment by Bernice Reig. Mizpah Chapter invited resident members to Christmas parties, served supper and gave gifts. In 1952, Fred Sachs collected old Remington electric razors, repaired and donated them to the Masonic Home.

It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to review the applications of Sisters seeking admission to the Masonic Home and Hospital through the Order of the Eastern Star. Until 1965, members of the Board were appointed to personally visit the applicants, using their own conveyance and often traveling after dark to unfamiliar places. The Sisters and Brothers who served on the Board in this capacity were truly dedicated servants of the Order; each one gave time for investigation as well as attendance at the meetings, and acting upon the petitions without bias or favoritism, and always with compassion for the needy Sisters.

After several years discussion, a part-time investigator was employed to interview the applicants, and to make a report to the Board for disposition. The compensation for these services was merely a reimbursement for expenses, since he was paid only ten cents per mile and used his own car. The first of these helpful members was PGP Albert Ruwel, whose previous experience at the Home and Hospital was helpful in determining a Sister’s need for care. Al was especially proficient in his investigations, but they required a good bit of time. It was the good fortune of the Board to learn of the availability of Bessie Kullberg, PM of Frederica Chapter, and an employee of the State Department of Welfare. For three years, her trained eye and sensitive ear collected the necessary information until her own ailing mother required her attention.

At that time Gail N. Smith, Past Grand Master and Past Patron of Radiant Chapter assumed the task, and is assisted by a staff of social workers at the Masonic Home who keep in touch with applicants once they have been accepted, even those who are on a waiting list.

In 1911 during the administration of the second superintendent, John O. Rowland, the first new building was erected on the Masonic grounds at a cost of $13,500. A brick edifice of colonial flavor, it held offices for both the foundation and the administration on the first floor, and living quarters for the Rowlands on the upper two floors. This building was torn down in 1970 to make way for the six-story Charles J. Ramage Wing.

By 1915, the number of guests at the Home had grown to 138, and a three-story brick unit with kitchen and dining facilities, and sleeping quarters for 44 was begun, linking the other two buildings. The cornerstone was laid September 25, 1915. Four years later, a four story, fireproof building replaced the original wooden dormitories which had served the Community People. The new building, erected by the company of H. Wales Lines, father of Ellie Chapin, was dedicated on December 13, 1919. Copies of the 1918 and 1919 Proceedings of the Grand Chapter were placed in the cornerstone, laid in March 1919. This building is what was later called the Wilder Building, and was part of a multi million-dollar renovation, re-dedicated on Grand Master’s Day 1973.

The Wilder Building contained a small hospital area, but the two rooms were soon inadequate, and in 1921, The O.E.S. Hospital took over the entire two floors where there were 23 private rooms and two wards, with 43 patients under the care of 7 nurses. The Grand Lodge accepted a sum of $8,000 from the Grand Chapter for equipping the hospital rooms. By 1922, when 50 of the 178 residents were hospital patients, the Board of Managers declared the facilities too limited, and the Grand Lodge authorized construction of a modern, four story brick and concrete hospital, designed by architect Walter T. Arnold, PGP. The cornerstone was set September 17, 1924. The facilities which included a powerhouse, laundry, and root cellar, in addition to a reconstructed kitchen, were completed in 1926. The building was named The Eastern Star Hospital of the Masonic Home.

In December 1928, 17 Sisters were admitted to the Home and Hospital through the Order of the Eastern Star. Of the 390 people in residence, 22 men and 56 women were in the hospital. These included one Past Grand Matron and one Past Grand Patron.

The Wilder Building was enlarged in 1930 with the addition of the Wells Wing to the north, and the O.E.S. furnished each room with bed, mattress, dresser, bedside table, chair, rug, lamp and curtains. This project, begun in May, included a rooftop nurse’s solarium, which was destroyed by fire the following March. An insurance settlement from the fire underwrote expansion of the dining room in 1931. The year 1930 also saw the addition of the Mary H. Allen property to the Masonic Home grounds. An assortment of dwellings were acquired over the years, and used for residence of employees. General improvements continued for the next several years, and included construction about the farm. The Home maintained its own prize winning dairy herd, and at the present still operates its own dairy and manufactures its own ice cream. George Haines was elected superintendent, replacing James C. Tucker who died in 1935. And by that time, some of the Chapters replaced rugs and or furnishings in the rooms which were labeled with Chapter names.

In 1931, in the interest of better use of the monies, the Chapters were asked to contribute money instead of supplies for the O.E.S. Hospital. But some items could not be purchased, and Linna Pond, PGM, to whom the task of making the items was delegated, asked several Chapters to help. Sachem Chapter placed on every bedside table, a rubber vase which could not break, tip over, or leak, and these gave much pleasure to the guests when flowers were available.

In 1947, PGP Albert H. Ruwet took over the duties of the superintendent. Later in the reorganization of administrative duties, he became the Director of Field Services. He was a familiar face around the Masonic Home for thirty years, where even in retirement, he regularly visited the residents until his death in 1972.

The next major undertaking was the erection in 1935 of the $650,000 Robert S. Walker Memorial which was to serve as an 80 room dormitory for female employees. However, this is now used as the Home for Aged, and employees’ residences are in the Wells Wing. The addition of the Walker Memorial building provided space for a Chapter Room at the Masonic Home where Chapters took their regalia and conferred degrees. This enjoyable space had to be sacrificed during the 1960s to make room for the care of additional members.

By 1961, there were 321 resident members, 143 in the Home and 178 in the hospital. It was costing $10.59 per day for hospital care and $5.05 for a home member. The increased need for hospital services resulted in the addition of the Gen. George Sturges Wing at the northwest corner of the hospital unit while Thom W. Corby served as administrator. In honor of our Past Grand Patron, the four-floor facility dedicated on October 5, 1963, provided 30 additional beds and was built into the hillside so that each floor empties out at ground level. A large laboratory and classroom for nurse’s training are located on the second floor.

In 1964, the Wallingford Town Council unanimously approved relocation of Masonic Avenue from a point southwest of the hospital to Hall Avenue Extension. The project was financed completely by the Masonic Foundation and made Masonic Avenue a private road unhampered by what had been a heavy flow of traffic. The move allowed the creation of a large recreational and walking area for members, opposite the entrance to the Home and overlooking the Wilbur Cross Parkway and Community Lake. It is here that the five illuminated “trees” stand at Christmas, a warm visual greeting to the townspeople below. The trees are actually shaped of strings of lights fastened to five flagpoles, and the rest of the year, fly the nation’s colors from each staff.

The large scale development at the institution was the addition of the six story Charles J. Ramage wing, dedicated at Grand Master’s Day on October 7, 1972. The new building centralized the business and administration offices on the main floor, and provided 30 modern bedrooms on each of the five upper floors. Completion of this wing opened the way for the final step of the modernization program, that of renovation of the Wilder building to provide larger therapy areas, a new auditorium, and a formal chapel; the re-dedication of this building took place on Grand Master’s Day, 1973.

Dr. Kurt S. Pelz, a Wallingford general practitioner, became the first Chief of Medical Staff, and in 1964 was appointed Executive Director. He was assisted by William J. Stout and Dr. Ulrich K. Rathey, Medical Director. Dr. Rathey became Chief of Medical Staff when Dr. Pelz retired in 1971, after 34 years work at the Masonic Home and Hospital. In 1969, Donald S. Fraser joined the staff as Controller and his election as Worthy Grand Patron in 1971 was an historic repetition of many close ties between the O.E.S. and the Masonic Home. Upon the resignation of Dr. Pelz in 1971, former U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Edgar L. Kilby was named to the position of Executive Director.

The hospital has an official chaplain, the Rev. Thomas R. Schulze, who assumed his office in July 1972 replacing the part time clergyman, the Rev. Leonard H. Fisher, pastor of St. Pauls’s Episcopal Church, who had succeeded the Rev. Donald W. Green in 1948.

With the growth and broadening of its benevolences, the Masonic Home and Hospital can cope with changes wrought from “outside” where people are living longer and turning to such institutions at an age when they are more feeble and more ill than in years past. In 1973 the average age at the Masonic Home and Hospital was in the 80s and 20% of the nearly 450 residents was over 90. Two-thirds of the total population required nursing care. Ministering to the needs of this unique community was a staff of approximately 380. Half of this number were nurses, doctors, technicians, and therapists involved in a variety of restorative services. In addition to the house physicians, there was an ophthalmologist, a psychiatrist, a physiatrist, a radiologist, and a dentist, plus a pharmacist and social workers. The annual payroll was in excess of two million dollars.

Since those days as an old folks’ home and orphanage, the institution has grown in physical size to encompass close to 300 acres and a complex of modern structures, lawns, and farmlands. It is licensed in three categories, as a home for the aged, a skilled nursing home and as a fully-accredited chronic disease hospital which specializes in the treatment of old age diseases. The total need of the aged is met within its boundaries. The Order of the Eastern Star is proud to be a partner in the care of aged or infirm members in this institution which is nearly 80 years old.

 

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