Hamilton Grove News
Hamilton Grove celebrates its 100th Birthday
Sunday afternoons are usually pretty quiet at the Hamilton Grove senior living community in New Carlisle. Not so on August 21 when the campus celebrated its 100th birthday with a grand day-long festival. Hundreds stopped by to celebrate the milestone and learn more about the history of Hamilton Grove and its century of service to seniors.
The birthday festival served a dual purpose – celebrating Hamilton Grove’s centennial and celebrating the community that helped it thrive over the years. Guests were treated to live music from PT & the Cruisers and The New Carlisle Town Band. They got to browse an artisan craft market, view vintage and classic cars, and tour the campus in a horse-drawn wagon. Food trucks provided lunch, and dessert, of course, was birthday cake.
“We are excited about what the future holds and planned this day to give you an idea of what the next century could look like for Hamilton Grove,” said Carol Swope, board member and chair of the festival planning committee.
Mark King, Greencroft Communities CEO, gave a brief history during the opening worship service. He told the story of Arminia and Haven Hubbard, who met in 1894 when Arminia was hired to care for Haven’s ailing mother. They fell in love and married in 1909. Haven’s greatest wish was to provide loving care and quality housing for seniors, particularly those with limited financial means. He died in 1916, and his widow, Arminia, made it her mission to fulfill his dream. In 1920, she gifted the family’s 700-acre working farm to a church trust, so the property could be used as a building site. The Haven Hubbard Memorial Old People’s Home welcomed its first residents in 1922. Arminia lived and worked on the campus until her death in 1946. In 2007, Hamilton Grove affiliated with Greencroft Communities.
“What began as the vision and dream of one couple continues today, a century later,” Mark said. “In the one hundred years since Epp Hall first opened its doors in 1922, our country and our world have experienced monumental change. Through it all, this campus has continued its steadfast mission to serve others.”