Author's Note:
This history of the Mary Wade Home, a non-profit venture on the part of the writer, is designed only to put on paper what he knows of the Home for the benefit of those interested and those yet to come. Research did not uncover sufficient material to make this a complete history of the Home.

It is not the intent of this history to delve into the business affairs or finances of the Home, rather, to present a picture of life as it was lived in the Home and the progression of steps from the original wood house to today's substantial structure.

Having at one time been employed in the Home the writer has seen first hand the effort and dedication that go into its operation by the paid staff and by the Board of Managers who serve only to be of service.

In its 118 year history the Mary Wade Home has done much to make life easier for many. The writer trusts that it may continue to do so.

Morley J. Kelsey
April 1984
Copyright © 1984 All Rights Reserved

The Mary Wade Home

Action was first taken on September 8, 1866, when 12 ladies met in the parlor of Madame Eli Whitney's home at 29 Elm Street, present location of the Bullard Building. Among those present were Madame Whitney, Mrs. Judson A. Root, Mrs. Wooster Hotchkiss, Mrs. Alfred Walker, Mrs. George W. Staples, Mrs. Charles Fabrique, Mrs. Joseph E. Sheffield, Mrs. Roger S. Baldwin, Mrs. Perit, Mrs. William E. Euystis and Mrs. S. Dryden Phelps.

It was announced at this meeting that Mr. James Brewster had contributed $1,000 to the cause and that another $1,000 had been contributed annonymously. Later, other substantial gifts were received and the project was off to a good start.

On September 15, 1866 the Society for the Home for the Friendless was organized, its officers elected and an advisory committee of gentlemen appointed.

Meetings were held on the sixth and twentieth of October during which a decision was reached to purchase the Joseph H. Rogers home located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Pine Sreet in the Fair Haven section of the city, a price of $6,000 to be paid. This was a large frame house facing Clinton Avenue, reputed to have been used previously as both a parsonage and a girl's school.

The neighborhood was sparsely settled and while seemingly remote was served by the Fair Haven station of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad just a few steps from the house and by the horse cars of the Fair Haven & Westville Railroad on Grand Avenue a block away.

The Home opened its doors on November 20, 1866 with but one resident. It was a non-sectarian institution supported by many of New Haven's good citizens and by many of New Haven's Churches. Fair Haven at this time was a village in its own right and had yet to become part of the City of New Haven.

To understand life in the Home we must understand life as it existed in that era. It was a time of hitching posts, horsedrawn wagons, livery stables, cobble stone pavements, wooden cigar store indians and sleighs on snowy streets. Housewives of the period were familiar with sad irons, washboards, carpet beaters, button hooks, hat pins, chamber pots, coal or wood fired cast iron kitchen ranges and kerosene lamps that required daily filling, cleaning and trimming. Outside was the dug well, kitchen garden, grape arbor and privy.

It was no doubt a more peaceful time than ours but there were arrests for child abuse, wife desertion, drunkeness, horse stealing, reckless driving, Sabbath breaking and street walking. It was the victims of this seamier side of life that the Home for the Friendless sought to help.

The name, Home for the Friendless, may sound crass to us today but it was a realistic name as were others at the time such as Insane Asylum, School for Imbeciles, Home for Wayward Boys, Reform School and Poor or Alms House.

Further insight into the life of the time may be gained from a list of early donations made to the Society which included one quart of oysters, one husk mattress, a breakfast shawl and bonnett, two polonaises, an assortment of pins, needles and thread, several yards of calico cloth, a basque, seven and one half bushels of peppers, a barrel of sugar, four tons of coal, a load of kindling wood and a framed motto, "God Bless Our Home."

The neighborhood grew up around the Home to become a respectable middle class area with some more elaborate homes occupied by shippers, oystermen and merchants. As late as 1896 cows were pastured on Pine Street opposite the Home for the Friendless. In 1894 the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad abandoned its route across Fair Haven in favor of the existing route through the East Haven tunnel. This change freed the ladies in the Home from the noise and smoke of passing locomotives.

In 1868 the Home was managed by a Mr. and Mrs. Paddock, who together, earned $250 for their year's work. An article in the New Haven Palladium, one of New Haven's morning newspapers at the time, reported that "The couple give the Home an air more of a domestic fireside than that of a public institution," and that "The inmates are generally so soon provided with employment that they do not harbor many at a time and often homes are found for those in peril who never come under their roof. In short, it is a refuge for the friendless and homeless, a shelter for any female who has nowhere to lay her head till something better offers." This statement reflects the original purpose of the Home, to be a temporary refuge rather than a permanent home. Among the early inmates, as the were called, were women beaten or abandoned by drunken husbands, women with young children and unable to find work, invalids unable to find employment, women who had fallen into the evil ways of the streets, abused and orphan children and those with incurable diseases.

Early reports mention children being adopted into fine Christian homes, women reformed and gainfully employed, women happily married to good men and places found in the country for the sickly. Thus the Home was fulfilling the purpose of its being. That it was, at times, unable to succeed is illustrated by an item in the 1873 annual report stating that "One little girl was sent to us by her friends, she having shown a tendency to vicious ways and was soon transferred by us to the Industrial School at Middletown."

The receipts for the first year were $10,101.59, family expense $575 and all other expense including purchase of the house $7,207 leaving a December 1867 balance of $2,319.59.

The Home was situated on a sizable parcel of land complete with outbuildings. That the Home made use of the land is illustrated in the 1868 annual report which shows receipt of $111 from the sale of milk and calves, $28 from the sale of garden and poultry products and $7 for rent of the barn.

The 1869 report claimed "...that the Home had been half self-supporting," also that "...among the inmates has been a number of women with young children, some invalids with incurable diseases and one young blind girl, all of them without a refuge of any sort. For many we have found places where they have permanent employment and are able to support themselves." Thanks were extended to town officials who aided the Home and at times sent them residents for whom a moderate board was paid.

The 1870 annual report mentioned avoiding old women as much as possible although they had one 60 and one 70 years of age at year's end.

The report for 1873 states that "...there are three entirely distinct classes of persons who become inmates of the Home. The first at virtuous women, whom the varied misfortunes of life have compelled to claim our help. The second are children of virtuous parents who have been led astray, often more sinned against than sinning. The third class come from the lowest grades of society, many of them having been taught to live lives of infamy by their own parents."

A "great improvement" was made in 1873 by major repair and refurbishing of the Home. It must be remembered that the house had been used previously as both a parsonage and a girl's school and that when occupied by Joseph Rogers was used to board boys from the Fair Haven Academy in which he served as headmaster. Several persons donated funds for this purpose. Also, in 1873, it became apparent that the services being rendered had outgrown the space available for those services. A building committee was appointed in February to consider ways of adding to the building. Later that year a large addition to the read of the house was completed. Two much needed features of the extension were a nursery to house the children and an informary for the ailing. There were often as many as 23 little ones in the Home, most under seven years of age. It was hoped by the Board of Managers that with the additional space it would be "...possible to keep the really evil-minded persons separate from the others." A drive to raise $5,000 for the new construction was short $3,000 as the building was completed. The Board was hard put to raise the full amount, the business deparession of the 1870s no doubt contributed to the problem.

A Bible class was formed in 1871 and was popular with the ladies. In 1873 the class was conducted by a Miss Metcalf who was very well liked. At this time Sunday afternoon services were conducted by pastors from various of new Haven's Churches. The YMCA cooperated by conducting some of the services.

The number of inmates served rose to ninety four in 1873, some staying longer than others. At this time the house physician was one Dr. Thompson who served gratuitously.

In its first year the Home for the Friendless served 16 people, by 1876 the number had risen to 110 people and the point reached where the Executive Committee had to carefully screen the applicants to prevent none from "...seeking admittance for the sake of resting idly while others support them and theirs or that the shelter of the Home is not abused by persons broken down in health from sinful lives, coming to regain strength only to go out again in their old paths of wickedness."

The 1876 annual report states: "...Our nursery department has been quite successful. Fourty one babies have been under our care, a number of these have been boarded by their mothers who took situations as wet nurses. One was a delicate motherless babe who had been taken by a friend, but finding she could not support herself and take proper care of the child brought her to us and she has steadily improved in health. Another was the child of a poor women who was ill at the hospital and still another motherless babe was brought by her father. Four of the children died in the extreme heat of the summer but in two instances the children had always been delicate. Two children have been adopted into good families."

The 1876 report speaks of several women who came to the Home in desperation, having suffered various misfortunes in their lives. All were led to live useful Christian lives and most became Church members. At least one of these was a Roman Catholic.

Further from the 1876 report: "One young girl who ran away from unkind, drinking parents, was harbored by us for a time, and then sent to a good place in the country, where she remained doing well until her return was demanded by her parents, who wre obliged by their Priest to give promises of kind treatment to the child. For quite a number of young women, pleasant homes in the country have been found. In a very few cases we have dismissed inmated from the Home as not suitable to be retained."

The Executive Committee was increased from two to 12 members in 1876, one to be Chief Manager each week. This was to increase the efficiency of the Home and the working force. Contributions to the Home dwindled as the business depression dragged on, this when the largest number of residents was being accommodated.

Life in the Home is illustrated by these two paragraphs from the 1877 annual report. "There is a sewing room where the making and mending of garments is carried on. On Tuesday and Saturday afternoons al gather, who can, work in hand, to listen to some entertaining reading. On Friday afternoon there is bible teaching and all, who will, attend, rarely does any choose to be absent. These lessons are given by an earnest friend of the friendless, one, who in rare responsiveness to their needs, has gained over them an influence for good that can be scarcely be measured."

"Morning and evening the family meet for Bible reading and prayer, these services being conducted by the matron or her assistant. We are indebted to the members of the First and Second Congregational, Methodist and Episcopal Churches of Fair Haven for Sunday afternoon services and our thanks are due also to the young lady who has so kindly conducted the singing."

The 1878 report states that "We now have two blind girls at the Home, one has been with us for some years and the other, a colored girl, blind from birth was admitted during the year, she adds to the happiness of the other inmates by her music, playing and signing for them."

Click Here to View the Act of Incorporation 1878.

In this same period the assistant matron, in addition to her regular duties in the Home tended to the planting and care of both flower and vegetable gardens in the rear yard.

One generous lady, through Dr. White, arranged for a bed in the hospital for some of the Home's residents.

In 1880 a pleasant sunny playroom was arranged for the children where they could play without the noise disturbing their elders. There were toy boxes along the walls and pictures were hung on the walls.

The 1880 report speaks of problems in the Home: "In such an institution there will always be some who are discontented, whether on account of ill-health, sad circumstances or real grievances, in the latter case, when the Managers, who visit the Home every week are informed of the trouble, they endeavor to give a fair hearing to both sides and remedy the difficulties, when it is possible."

Click here for the rules which were in effect in 1880.

In 1880 the Home was forced to borrow $500 to meet operating expense. This was disturbing to the Board members and efforts were made to raise additional funds. At the close of the year 1882 the debt had been paid off and curent expenses were being paid from income and donations.

Dr. Thompson retired in 1880 after nine years of gratuitous service to the Home, Dr. Gilbert took over the duties. The monthly average of residents was forty one.

The year 1882 saw an average of 30 residents in the Home, one third and sometimes as high as one half being children under seven years of age. Several babies who had been born in the Home were adopted into good homes.

As the years went by the various programs in the Home were hampered by lack of space. Another addition to the Home was ofen discussed but funds for construction were lacking. However, in 1887, Mrs. Jane Gilbert, by her will, gave the Home for the Friendless 22 shares of Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad stock, at that time valued in excess of $3,000. By the time probabe was completed the value of the stock had depreciated to $2,392.50, nonetheless it induced others to contribute funds which enabled the Home to construct a two story brick wing which was completed early in 1889.

The wing was attached to the south side of the wood structure and faced Clinton Avenue. Access to the wing was from the first floor of the old house and because the first floor level of the wing was higher a staircase of four steps was constructed to allow passage.

A dining room was provided in the area now occupied by the Nurse's station and a kitchen was opposite where the bathroom is now located. At the south end of the first floor hall in space now used for Rooms No. 4 and No. 5 and the staff lavatory a parlor was provided complete with fireplace, bookshelves and pictures on the walls. There were a total of nine bedrooms, one double and eith single, a matron's room and a storeroom. One the second floor over the kitchen a bathroom was provided. The 1888 report stated that eight or 10 bedrooms could be provided in a third floor at small expense when needed. This refers to a plan to jack up the roof and build a third floor between it and the second floor. This, of course, was done in 1898.

The furnace in the old house had reached the end of its useful life and stoves were being used in various rooms to supply heat. It was decided to provide steam heat throughout both buildings and a contract was made with the New Haven Steam Heating Co. to install a boiler in the basement of the win and provide necessary piping.

The location of the old boiler can be determined today by the concrete patch on the brick floor of the basement and the arrangement of piping overhead. Also, in the north end of the wing basement, a laundry was built to replace the inadequate facility in the old building.

The wing was designed by H. Austin & Sons, the contractor was Mr. E.H. Sperry, the carpentry by J.L. Osborne, the plumbing by Messrs. Curtis & Pierpont and the painting by a Mr. Jefferson of Fair Haven.

The 1888 report by the Recording Secretary states that: "We hope books may also be given to fill the shelves of the bookcase which is built in the parlor, a cheerful and attractive looking room. In this room will hang the crayon portrait of Mrs. Gilbert, whose large bequest was the foundation of this erection. The portrait was donated by her friends, Mrs. Mix and Mrs. Borden."

A short history which accompanied the 1931 report states that, "Miss Slater, our former matron, says that the brick wing was originally intended to be a place where the old ladies could keep house, taking turns in doing the cooking but as that scheme didn't work out satisfactorily it was abandoned."

In 1889 furnishings were provded for the wing and nearly all the rooms were occupied by elderly women. At this time Dr. E.C.M. Hall was serving the Home without compensation and the general health of the residents was reported as excellent.

From the 1889 report: "Recognizing the teaching of the Apostle that 'God hath made of one blood all nation's of men' the Home has received inmates without distinction of color, and during the past year has sheltered one young colored girl with her child, and at the present time has among the inmates a worthy colored woman of over eighty years. Visitors are always interested to converse with 'Aunt Lucy' as she is called by her many friends and she is equally ready to speak to them of her twenty three years of service, long ago, in the family of Noah Webster."

In 1891 there were 50 residents, 91 Board Members representing 31 Churches and $6,500 in the endowment fund. The Home was a happy place for its residents and all were satisfied with its homey atmosphere.

In the earliest days, one lady at first and after five years, two, undertook the task of visiting at the Home. They also made the purchases and rendered the accounts to the treasurer. They wre called "Chief Managers." By 1891 this work was done by the Executive Committee whose members were visiting one month at a time. By the year 1931 each Board Member took her turn in calling at the Home so that there were several visitors each month.

In 1893 there were 20 women over 60 years of age residing in the Home. There were three reasons given for this, it was the only free non-sectarian home for women in the State, many of the ladies had grown old in the Home and the Board found it hard to refuse admission to a woman who had always been self supporting but was no longer able to care for herself due to age.

The annual reports were full of references to the good the Home was doing as the Board was proud, and rightly so, of its work. The 1894 report said: "Many of the children who come to us are pitiful little objects, dirty, half fed, showing the effects of continued ill-treatment and knowing little save the evil of the streets in which their few years have been passed, but the baby innocence of heart is there, ad in a very short time they are clean and hearty, and all of their past life is crowded out of their minds by the happy present, with its regular training of mind and body, and most of all, soul."

The year 1894 saw a total of 80 persons sheltered in the Home, 25 of this number were women over 60 and 32 were children. The report for that year stated that "The food of the inmates is nourishing and well cooked; the house is neat and orderly; the large family is well regulated and each member of it seems desirous to do her share." It was also stated: "We take only such children as are ineligible for admission to the orphan asylums and can find for the time no other home...." Mention was also made of the poor condition of the old structure and the need for a new building.

In 1894 kerosene lamps were still in use in the Home and one was placed on a chair in the upper hall for illumination. One evening the lamp was upset and a fire ensued but was quickly smothered with blankets. Thereafter the lamp was placed in a deep tin dish.

The 1895 report said that "The old wooden house which constitutes the greater part of our present structure is now a thing of many patches, hard to ward, expensive to keep in repair and dangerously combustible. A plain brick building in its place is greatly needed but is entirely beyond our means."

A fund for a new building was started and some substantial donations received. Builder's estimates showed that more than $15,000 would be required to put up a proper structure.

An epidemic of measles attacked the younger residents of the Home in the late spring of 1897 and the Home was virtually quarantined for several weeks. All of the victims recovered.

At this time Donation Days were held annually at the Home, interested parties stopping in for tea and giving what they could afford toward operation of the Home. In 1897 the second Thursday in November was designated as Donation Day. The amount received was disappointing, being nearly $200 short of the 1896 figure.

The building fund was growing more slowly than hoped but in 1896 reachd the sum of $5,213.

In April 1898 Mrs. Lucy H. Boardman deposited the sum of $20,000 in a bank to be drawn upon for the erection of a new building. A building committee was appointed with Mr. Charles E. Graves of the advisory board as chairman. Later in 1898 construction of the present main building commenced.

To permit the wood structure and out-buildings to be razed, as many of the residents as possible were housed in the wing, most of the remainder were moved to a rented house in Westville. The children, as far as possible, were sent to stay with relatives.

Plans for the new building and alterations to the wind were drawn by Mr. L.W. Robinson who also supervised the construction. Masonry was done by Elizur H. Sperry, carpentry by Ritchie & Johnstone, plumbing and gas fitting by T.W. Corbett and steam heating by Sheahan & Groark. That these gentlemen did their work well is evident in the present condition of the structure.

The building was of brick construction with a peaked, slate covered roof. There were three brick fire walls, the center extending to roof height, the others to attic floor level. The new building was connected directly to the wing, the end wall of the wing reaching the roof and acting as a fourth fire wall. The framing for the roof was of heaby timbers with motrise and tenon joints. Dormers wre cut into the roof for light and ventilation. The attic provided ample storage space.

A boiler room with space for two boilers was provided in the basement with an adjoining coal bunker of 100 tons capacity. The boilers were arranged to burn anthricite coal.

Gas light fixtures were provided in each room avoiding the need for kerosens lamps.

Parlors with fireplaces were built at the west end of the building on each floor for the ladies enjoyment. In addition parlors were provided at the east end, or front of the building, on each floor. A large reception room was also provided at the front of the building. A dining room and kitchen were built on the first floor to serve all the residents.

Mrs. Boardman, whose generous gift made the new building possible wanted her sister's name associated with the Home and donated an additional $100 to have the words "The Mary Wade House" cut into stone blocks above the front entrance.

A fund was started to buy furnishings for the new building and the practice of naming rooms was established at that time with the "Caroline M. Fabrique" room furnished by members of the Dwight Place Church and the "Strong" room furnished by members of Mrs. Strong's Sunday Schol class at Plymouth Church. The last vestige of this program disappeared in 1980 when the raised letters "Grace M.E." were removed from the door of the second floor wing bathroom during refurbishing. This room was possibly equipped by the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church on Howard Avenue in New Haven. This Church is now known as the Wesley United Methodist Church.

Work on the building proceeded rapidly and in November 1898 the family was reunited under one roof. The Reverend Mr. Chapman held a brief devotional service in the parlor, this was attended by all of the residents, most of the Managers and many friends of the Home. It was hoped that a telephone and an elevator could be included in the new building but funds were lacking.

Bedsteads for the new building were purchased from Brown & Durham, window shades from the New Haven Window Shade Company and bureaus and washstands from the Bowditch Furniture Company. In each case a discount was allowed the Home.

In February 1899 the children in the Home had the Measles followed in May be the Whooping Cough. Otherwise health in the Home was good. In August Dr. Boyer residned to be replaced by Dr. Adams as House Physician.

Also in 1899, the first Public Donation Day was held. This was an annual event for many years in which horse drawn wagons, or later, trucks carrying large signs "Donation Day for the Home for the Friendless" went door to door seeking donations. Open house was held in the Home at the same time.

A total of 87 persons were served by the Home in 1899, 46 remained at year's end and one was in the free bed at the Hospital. Several rooms in the Home remained unoccupied due to lack of furnishings.

In the course of the year 1900, nine old women entered the Home. There were 25 women past 75 years of age and 10 over 80. The Home was well into its change from a temporary refuge to a permanent residence for the older women.

A telephone was installed in the Home in January 1900, the gift of a Boat Member who paid for its first 15 months of use. Also in 1900, Donation Day was moved from November to May with a welcome increase in gifts.

The Annual Report for 1902 reported: "...in 1882 a little baby two weeks old came with his mother to the Home. It was the only home that his early childhood knew; for he remained there till he was just four, when his mother died, and for four more years he was cared for there. Then, in 1890, he was adopted and went away. He is now a sailor, but his roving life does not dim his grateful recollections, and from every port he sends a letter to one of the Mangers."

The year 1901 brought outbreaks of both Measles and Whooping Cough. A temporary nurse was employed and though the Board felt the posistio should be made permanent funds wre not available. 26 children wre served during the year in a nursery which had provision for but 15 at one time. After the Florence Crittenton Home was opened in 1902 fewer children came to the Home for the Friendless although it was 10 more years before the Home becamse the exclusive domain of elderly women.

In 1902 the great coal strike did much to cripple the country but earlier that year the Home had purchased 100 tons of anthricite at $2.50 per ton makng it possible to keep the Home comfortably warm.

Through the years the Home continued to serve the friendless, a woman needing to recuperate from a wasting illness, a woman and child found on point of starvation, a woman feeble and deserted by her husband. The list goes on and on.

It was at this time that a henhouse was built in the rear yard, the end result being 50 fresh eggs each week and soon cup custard graced the Home's table for the ladie's enjoyment. The ladies at this time were still referred to as "inmates."

In 1903 Dr. Henry Bronson made a gift to the Home of a bed in the New Haven Hospital for six months (value $2,000). In 1905 Mrs. Mary Wade donated $15,000 to the Grace Hospital for their Nurse's Dormitory, in return the Home for the Friendless was given free use of a bed at that hospital.

It was also in 1903 that one of the residents said, "I am very happy: I am warm and well clothed; I have plenty of good food and a comfortable room. I think I am very fortunate."

In 1903, at the time of Donation Day, an apron sale conducted by Mrs. Kellogg brought in $34 and a cake and flower sale by Mrs. Bostwick and Mrs. Miner netted $34.40.

problems with the sewer were solved in 1904 when the Home was connected to the sewer in Clinton Avenue. Later another connection was made to the sewer under Pine Street.

In 1904, as usual, turkey dinners were provided at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. On New Year's Day a supper of oysters, cake and ice cream was served. A Valentine party lasting two hours was arranged by divinity students who played piano, sang and performed magician's tricks. Each resident received a Valentine and a sugar heart. At various times through the year entertainments of music and reading were provided by the Manages and others, always followed by ice cream and cake. One evening the people of the East Pearl Street Methodist Church put on an interesting program for the ladies.

It is not the intent of this history to delve into the financs of the Home but it is interesting to note, for sake of comparison, that the expense of running the Home in the year 1904 was $5,931 and by 1907 had increased to $7,807, up almost 32%. At the same time the increase in income from the endowment fund was in excess of 39%. While this was encouraging to the Board of Managers they still had to depend on public donations to keep the Home in operation.

In this period the Home's appreciation was frequently extended to New Haven's newspapers for free insertion of their notices, to various Churches for their assistance, to the pastors who presided over the Sunday Services and to those merchants who sold to the Home at a discount. These included the Gamble-Desmond Company, the John Bassett Company, the Dematty Shoe Company and Brown and Durham.

The income from the endowment fund paid less than 40% of the operating expense in 1905. A concerted effort was made to make Donation Day a success and as a result a substantial collection was made. Special thanks were given to the Peck & Bishop Company, Smedley & Company and J.D. Dewell & Company who furnished trucks without charge for Donation Day. Also to Darrow's for several baskets of peaches, to Smith Bradley for a very handsome palm, to Thompson's for oysters, to Lewis & Maycock for their services and to the Needlework Guild and the United Workers for gifts throughout the year.

Until the year 1906 there had been no heat on the third floor of the Home, but then Mrs. J.M. Greist, Board Member, donated funds for installation of radiators in 20 rooms making the third floor tenable in the winter months.

In 1909 the Home cared for 66 persons, 52 old ladies with an average age of 74, nine young girls and five babies. At year's end there were still two girls and their babies in the home and these were kept until suitable situations were found for them. 25 of the residents paid board, the remainder lived free.

Also in 1909 it was found that the Home was without funds for much needed redecoration. A charity bridge and fair were held to provide those funds. Donation Day was on June 9, a very rainy day, but $1,977.33 was collected, only $400 short of the previous year's total.

The Thanksgiving Day dinner in 1909 was claimed to be the best ever served in the Home for the Friendless and in the afternoon the ladies were entertained by selections played on the Victrola.

One funeral and one Confirmation were held in the Home in 1909.

Until 1914 the Home depended on the free-will services of individuals to act as treasurer but in that year it was arranged that the Union New Haven Trust Company should become treasurer for the Home.

In 1916 the weekly board was raised from $3 to $4.

By 1921 the number of residents in the Home had dropped to 38, the oldest being 93. 13 of this number paid board and 13 paid part board. Several rooms were painted and other expenses mounted. It was decided to run a Fair in October in the home of Mrs. Trowbridge. The ladies in the Home made aprons, dusters, washcloths, hoods, bed shoes, stockings, sweaters and even dressed a doll for the sale at the Fair. All were happy when it was announced that the Fair had netted $1,650.

At this time six Fair Haven Churches joined in providing Sunday Services at the Home. One of the Managers read several evenings for the ladies enjoyment. A Mr. Prentiss showed lantern slides and the New Haven Choral Club provided an evening of music.

The 1921 report stated that: "Most of the women are commendable ready to render little services to one another and nearly half of our number help with the light houework whether they pay board or not. Most of them are willing to assist as they can. Some wash and wipe dishes and prepare vegetables while others take their turn in the office and do plain sewing for one another."

During the year there were one resident each from Holland, Scotland, ireland and Germany and four from England while only five were born in New Haven.

A new sidewalk was laid in 1922 and several rooms painted. A staff avatory was built using part of the parlor at the south end of the first floor hall.

Miss Murray, who had been resident nurse for 10 years resigned and was replaced by a Miss Wilson.

A handyman was employed in 1924. The following spring he planted a vegetble garden. The ladies were interested in watching the vegetables grow and the fresh produce was a welcome addition to the table. An elevator was discussed but the matter tables as installation was estimated to cost $10,000. More than $2,600 was spent on refurbishing and repair during the year.

Six of the residents with an average age of 84 years died during 1924 to be replaced by six ladies with an average age of 75.

In 1925 it was reported that the Home presented a very cheerful appearance with the work that had been done. A new gas range was installed in the kitchen, new linoleum laid in the bathrooms and linen shelves were installed. Doors replaced the windows leadng to the fire escape. When the fire escape was installed a bedroom on each of the second and third floors had to be sacrificed to allow access to the fire escape. Now the ladies no longer had to crawl through a window to get to the fire escape. Over the years the Home mad more than one fire escape.

Click Here to View the Rules for Admission 1927.

From the 1927 report: "A very gratifying change has been made in the Home. Formerly all meetings were held in the large front room, necessitating setting up of chairs and then removing them. It was suggested at a Boat Meeting that a room very little used at the end of the corridor be made into an assembly room. This was done, the room painted, a few chairs bought, making it an ideal room for all meetings and services that rae held at the Home. The front room was then furnished as a sitting room with new rugs, curtains, and some new furniture, and looks most attractive when you enter the Home."

All lead pipe in the building was replaced with brass in 1927, two new lights wre installed in the dining room and a new mangle placed in the laundry. In October it was voted to have an elevator installed.

In 1928 the elevator was installed and fire escape changes made, again a bedroom on each the second and third floors had to be sacrificed to allow access to the elevator. A new chain link fence was installed around the Home's property, extra fire alarm bells installed in the building, linoleum laid in some rooms and a new rug provided for the office.

The cost of operating the Home had risen to $11.24 per person per week but it was reported that the best of care was provided, good wholesome fod served and a nurse employed in case of illness.

Christmas 1929 was celebrated with a tree and many decorations. Each lady was given a handkerchief and a dollar bill. In February Valentine's Day was the occasion of Mrs. McClure showing pictures and souvenirs of her trips around the world. One evening Mr. and Mrs. Hawley Lincoln and their son entertained with music and stories. The Young People's Society of the Church of the Messiah presented plays during the year. In the summer various Board Members took groups of five or six ladies on rides. Thanksgiving was a happy time with five turkeys roasted for the ladies.

The number of residents increased to 40 in 1930, some paying board and some not. The ladies were given name tags to be worn when outside the Home.

Two new boilers were installed in 1930, new linoleum laid in the dining room and kitchen and fire exit lights installed on the second floor.

In the first 12 years of the Home's existence it sheltered 640 persons, in the 12 years 1919 - 1931 only 90. This change in numbers illustrates the change from temporary refuge to permanent home. The great majority of those served in the early years were foreign born representing France, Russia, Denmark, Swotzerland, parts of Africa, the West Indies, Italy, Poland, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Hungary, Nova Scotia, England, Turkey, German, Holland and Sweden.

In 1931 the Charter was revised so that the Home could be called either the Home for the Friendless or the Mary Wade Home. Another change allowed for the care of men and it was hoped someday to have a cottage for married couples on the grounds.

In the period 1931 - 1932 the Mary Wade Home dispensed its surplus income among 25 elderly and indigent people outside of the Home. Five of these were men.

Also in this period the Home's capability was increased through the addition of eight new bedrooms. Records available do not indicate which rooms these were but we know that rooms No. 4 and No. 5 were created in space formerly used for a parlor, rooms No. 37 and No. 38 on the third floor likewise created in space once a parlor. The present staff dining room was formerly a bedroom created by halving the parlor at that location. The remaining half is today's small kitchen. The Home could then house 48 ladies although the average at the time was 47. The eight new rooms were furnished, 14 mattresses, six dining room chairs, six new toilets and eight window screens were purchased.

Consideration was given to an addition to the building in 1931 but the matter was tabled. It was voted to install a stoker in one of the boilers with the expectation that it would pay for itself in one year through savings in coal.

In 1932 it was voted to contribute $600 each month for six months to the Family Society to be used to benefit the needy as there were no empty rooms at Mary Wade.

The 1933 report glows with reports of happy activities in the Home. At Christmas time (1932) there were gifts for all and Christmas Carols were sung by groups from the Church of the Messiah, the German Baptist Church, the YMCA and the East pearl Street Church. Girls from the Commercial High School presented a Christmas play. In February Mr. Hawley W. Lincoln recited for the women. He was assisted by Mrs. Schwalow, soloist and Mrs. Newell at the piano. In March the Junior Choir of the First Methodist Episcopal Church sang. Welcome Hall presented an entertainment at the Home in May. In June some of the family was transported to a party at the summer home of Ms. Thomas F. Paradise. Parties were held on all holidays with the inevitable cake and ice cream served to round out the festivities.

As built, the main building had has lights in all rooms, electricity came later. In February 1934 the house adjacent to the Home on Clinton Avenue caught fire due to faulty wiring. This led the Home to have all exposed wiring in the basement put into cables and conduit. At attempt to purchase the house next door was unsuccessful. Consideration was given to a sprinkler system or employment of a watchman or watchwomen.

In 1934, at the suggestion of a Board Member, a register of visitors was started, in the first nine months 1,458 callers signed the book. Also at the suggestion of a Board Member a friendship garden was started in the spring of the year.

That the Board was well satisfied with its operation of the Mary Wade Home is clearly shown in the following statement from the 1933 - 1934 report. "The Mary Wade Home is distinguished by the relatively high degree of normalcy of life within its walls. This feature makes the Home more a utopia than a refuge to aged and indigent women. Here their declining years are lived with fitting dignity. Each has her own room and personal effects for which she cares, and is responsible for her own share of the general household duties. Only such rules are made and enforced as are necessary to any successful cooperative living..."

The old reports of the Home make interesting reading but sometimes leave the reader a bit confused. For instance, the 1936 - 1937 report states that "We have given up one of the downstairs rooms recently, — the room formerly occupied by Miss Lily Nash, — who is always willing to help, is to be converted into an office for the incoming Superintendent and Bookkeeper. It is hoped that this change will make their work easier." Possibly the room referred to is the present Assistant Administrator's ofice but we can not be sure. Room numbers were not mentioned in the reports which is just as well as there were several renumberings over the years.

In 1937 the gardens behind the building wre laid out and shrubs planted. In this period the Pequot Theater on Grand Avenue allowed the ladies of Mary Wade free admission on some days of the week.

Full length screens were installed int he third floor windows, the kitchen, hospital room, assembly room and housekeeper's room were painted.

The guest register showed an average of 161 signatures each month in 1937. Due to rising expenses the Board raised the rate per room from $4 to $6 per week.

In 1938 there was discussion about building porches connecting with all three floors on the south and wet sides of the building. There was a delay in finalizing the plans due to cost but in November porches were completed n the west side of the building including a fire exit.

The wooden house on Clinton Avenue adjacent to the Home had fallen into deplorable condition by 1940 and a letter was sent to the Building Department requesting that the house be repaired or razed. Consideration was given to a water curtain in the south end of the home as protection against fire in the old house.

In 1945 it was voted to accept residents from East Haven, West Haven, North Haven, Orange, Woodbridge and Hamden rather than from New Haven alone.

The first oil burner was installed in one of the boilers in 1946. In 1949 many changes were made in the structure in compliance with new fire laws at a cost of $5,000.

Insulation of the attic was first considered in 1951 but it was late 1952 before the work was done. At the same time 21 storm windows were installed and new hand rails were nstalled on the front steps.

The first State License as a Boarding Home was issued in 1953. The kitchen was completely remodeled that same year.

In 1956 there were 38 residents in the Home, 34 voting in the Presidential Election. This was a busy year at the Mary Wade Home. Glass panels were installed in the front doors, hand-rails were put in the elevator, a bathroom was built for the Superintendent, the transoms over the doors to the rooms were covered to comply with fire laws and a contract was signed for installation of a sprinkler system. New sidewalks wre installed and the coal remaining in the bunker was removed at the Fire Department's request.

The following year a 2,000 gallon fuel oil tank was buried under the front lawn. At the same time consideration was given to converting one boiler to gas.

New rugs, a new bath tub, 12 chairs and six lawn chairs were purchased in 1959. In the same year new water mains were installed.

In 1960 30 beds, springs and mattresses and dressers were purchased along with six platform rockers.

Eight maple tables and 54 chairs were purchased in 1962 for the dining room along with a complete service of china. The guest book was signed by 2,842 persons during the year.

Considerable painting was done and the two rear porches repaired. A handrail was installed in the halls in compliance with State Regulations. Walks were laid in the garden for the women's enjoyment. A new elevator was installed as the old one was deemed beyond economical repair.

In 1966 a new sidewalk was laid along Pine Street. It was suggested at this time to refer to the Home only as the Mary Wade Home the Board feeling that the name Home for the Friendless was outdated.

In the year 1971 the insurance company suggested a new electric service and new wiring, also a fire-guard system at the kitchen range. Before year's end the fire-guard system was installed and some new wiring put in place.

A reed organ was bequeathed to the Home in 1974 by Kathie and Cecil L'Hommedieu. During the year 3,468 visitors signed the register.

In 1974 brought many changes to the Mary Wade Home, changes brought about by increased involvement of the State and Federal Governments in all phases of care for the elderly.

The following year a program of completely refurbishing the Mary Wade Home was undertaken, using, as far as possible, the Home's own maintenance force to do the work. Boys from the Hamden High School's VO-Ed program were employed to assist in this. Most, as it turned out, were capable workers and one, a particularly good lad stayed on to become a permanent employee.

In the next five years nearly all of the bedrooms were cleaned, repainted and repapered. The radiators were moved to the basement where they were wire brushed and repainted. Linoleum was laid wall to wall.

In two cases in the wing small rooms were converted into two room suites by cutting through the separating partition. This had been done previously in two other locations. Room No. 43 was enlarged by moving a partition. A bedroom at the west end of the first floor was remodelled t be used as the staff dining room. The old staff dining room was then converted for use as the Administrator's office with a doorway and a communicating window cut into the separating partition for convenience.

The first floor sun porch was repainted, venetian blinds restrung and carpeting laid. The first first floor halls were painted and papered and additional hand-rails installed.

Three of the porches were repaired using new joists, stringers, flooring and stair treads as needed.

The old laundry room in the basement was dismantled, the boiler room and old coal bunker cleaned and painted and a storage room with shelving built for the Housekeeper's use.

A small refrigerator was installed in the Nurse's station, a Hairdresser's sink in the first floor west lavatory and the walls tiled around the tub in one bathroom.

A sign "Mary Wade Home" was placed over the front entrance to the Home and the fire escape cleaned and painted. This work was done while carrying on the routine maintenance of the Home and tending to the little emergencies that crop up in any household.

Outside contractors were employed for work beyond the scope of the Home's own people and for those jobs which had to be completed quickly to minimize disruption of the Home's routine. Included were refurbishing of the dining room, rewiring the building which included a new service, emergency generator, nurse call system and smoke detectors. The No. 2 boiler was replaced and the heating system Zoned. Triple track storm windows were installed throughout the building.

Outside, the brickwork was repaired and pointed and repairs made to the slate roof.

In the kitchen a new dishwasher was installed and a new fireguard system replaced the old one which was demed unrepairable.

Meanwhile, life in the Home went on as usual with Religious Services each Sunday, Valentine parties in February, dogwood rides in May, the annual tea in June, monthly slide shows put on by Mr. and mrs. Goodrich, bingo parties weeky, cook-outs in the garden in warm weather, birthday parties each month, foliage rides in the fall, Halloween parties in october, Christmas and New Year's events at year's end. Newly instituted Catholic Services were held on Fridays.

In 1975 the Mary Wade Home had a float in the Fair Haven Bicentennial Parade.

A small fire occurred in a second floor cabinet in 1976, all the women vacated the building in orderly fashion thanks to regular fire drills. The fire was quickly extinguished without damage.

In the years from 1980 to the present, refurbishing of the bedrooms continued and the second and third floor halls received like treatment as did the second and third floor sun porches.

The slate roof was replaced and the exterior of the building cleaned.

A new combination gas-oil burner was installed in the No. 2 boiler. A new dishwasher was installed in the kitchen and a drinking fountain in the dining room. New plumbing was installed throughout the building.

Men were first accepted into the Mary Wade Home in 1983.

In 1984 the Mary Wade Home presents a bright and cheerful appearance, not of plastic furniture, chrome fixtures and modern decor but of a comfortable home suited to the elderly men and women who reside in it. It is, and well should be, a source of pride to the residents, to the Board of Managers and to the staff.

Presidents of the Mary Wade Home
1866 - 1867 Mrs. Joseph E. Sheffield
1868 - 1870 Mrs. General Roberts
1871 - 1878 Mrs. William Hillhouse
1879 - 1888 Mrs. E. Davenport
1889 - 1895 Mrs. William Hillhouse
1896 - 1907 Mrs. Charles Graves
1908 - 1912 Mrs. James M. Hoppin
1913 - 1920 Mrs. J.M. Greist
1921 - 1927 Mrs. Rutherford Trowbridge
1928 - 1929 Mrs. James English
1929 - 1941 Miss Jane C. Bronson
1942 - 1946 Mrs. Harold S. Burr
1947 - 1951 Mrs. George E. Hodson
1952 - 1957 Mrs. Thomas F. Paradise
1957 - 1963 Mrs. George R. Willis
1963 - 1966 Mrs. Albert G. Kochersperger
1966 - 1970 Mrs. Hiram S. Hart
1970 - 1974 Mrs. Edith c. Reemsnyder
1974 - 1978 Mrs. Arthur G. Koch
1978 - 1982 Mrs. Herbert A. Steinnecker
1982 - Mrs. Charles Smith