Elmhurst, The House of Friendship, senior independent and licensed assisted living residence, kicked o
ff a year-long celebration commemorating its 125 years of service to the community when a newly planted elm tree was christened on its National Road campus in Wheeling.
Jamie Crow, Elmhurst executive director, commented that Arbor Day, Friday, April 24, seemed the most appropriate day o
n which to recognize the return of elm trees to the campus and to inaugurate the 125th anniversary year celebration.
“We’re planning to celebrate our decades of service to the senior members of the community in a variety of events throughout 2015. Plans are underway for a gala ‘Evening Under the Elms’ event that will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15 on our side lawn,” Crow said, adding, “The original elm trees planted by Samuel S. Bloch when he built his family home on this site were decimated by Dutch elm disease several years ago. Our anniversary year is the perfect time to begin the return of the magnificent elm trees to Elmhurst.”
Elmhurst residents were joined by Stuart Bloch,great-grandson of Samuel Bloch, and his wife, Stephanie, as well as Elmhurst board members and students from St. Michael Parish School, a partner-in-education with Elmhurst, to officially christen the new tree. The Blochs are honorary co-chairs of the August event, according to Anita Carenbauer, co-chairperson of The Friends of Elmhurst who are presenting the gala fundraising evening.
Elmhurst, was built by the Bloch Bros. Tobacco Co. co-founder Samuel S. Bloch for his wife, Bertha Prager Bloch, and their four children, in the Pleasant Valley section of Wheeling, in 1891. Mrs. Bloch was one of the early members of the non-profit organization’s board of directors, originally known as The West Virginia Home for Aged Women, and incorporated in 1890. The organization was founded to provide housing for women without means, and, for a short time, also housed young girls who needed assistance.
In 1940, upon the organization’s 50th anniversary, the children of Samuel and Bertha, donated the mansion to the entity to replace the existing home on Thirteenth Street in East Wheeling which was in disrepair. Jesse A. Bloch, Harold S. Bloch, Mrs. Eduoard Ziegler and Mrs. Steven Hirsch acknowledged that their donation was in honor of their parents and would be something of which they would have approved. The elder Blochs were generous philanthropists in the community throughout their lifetimes.
In 1942, a four-story wing added to the mansion which also had been refurbished, was dedicated to the newly named Emhurst, The House of Friendship.
In a family photo album from the early 20th century details of the property and family members were inscribed by Samuel Bloch’s son, Thomas M. Bloch, who wrote “At the time (of construction) it was a corn field and the only trees that were on the place were the large elms on the creek bank. Furthermore, all the trees that are now on the grounds were planted by “Daddy Bloch.”
Crow acknowledged the significance of the Bloch mansion and its place on the historic National Road, noting,
“We take great pride in the mansion and are dedicated to its preservation for future generations. Its architecture and grand front porch delight everyone who passes by, no matter what the season. Our anniversary year is one in which we will continue to raise funds to ensure the integrity of the mansion and our complex as we serve as the finest example of senior living.” She explained that fundraising efforts this year will go towards the purchase of a new van for the residents’ transportation and for restoration of the front porch columns.
As part of the celebration, Elmhurst recently published an anniversary cookbook, Treasured Recipes, that is available at Elmhurst’s offices or by calling (304) 242-0240, Crow said, adding, “We have been inundated for request for the cookbooks since they arrived a month ago. Many of our residents, their families, friends and staff contributed recipes for the cookbook.”
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