We have known for quite some time that another Scottish Home existed somewhere in the United States. Now as a result of the scanning program and the Internet, we have some answers. A letter has been found from C. E. Duerr, secretary, of the St. Andrew’s Scottish Benevolent Society, in Cleveland, Ohio, asking questions about the operation about the Scottish Home in Riverside, Il. It seems that Mrs. Cummings, the Superintendent, knew a lady who wanted to apply as the matron of their home and thus a series of letters back and forth. We do not have all the letters but we can get some understanding of the other Scottish Home, both from the letters and now the Internet. It was called the Scottish Old Folks Home and was “designed to house older natives of Scotland and their families.” The capacity was around thirty, but as of April 5, 1930, they had only nine residents. When it was learned that the matron also did the cooking, Mrs. Cummings felt that her friend would not be interested in the job.
The Scottish Old Folks Home was located in Cleveland, Ohio, at 1835 North Park Boulevard in a Georgian house of 19 rooms. The house was originally built in 1903 as the home of Bishop John Patrick Farrelly of the Catholic Diocese. We do not know when the St. Andrew’s Scottish Benevolent Society of Cleveland purchased the home and it is unclear if the Society still exists. It appears that the Scottish Old Folks Home began operating in 1919 and continued into the 1940's. An article on the Internet states, “In the 1940's the house was operated as the Scottish Old Folks home under the direction Matron Harriet Hepburn.” After that it was owned by the Rose Institute, and then by various individual owners.” In 1998 the home was on the Heights Heritage Tour and contained “classic contemporary furnishings by Charles Rennie Mackintosh." “The house has been total remodeled and restored to its original conditions with many additions.” The present owner is not identified.
In 1930, the president of the St. Andrew’s Scottish Benevolent Society was John J. MacEwen with William Peters and Ringland Andrews serving as vice presidents. Hector Fraser was the treasurer. Members of the Board of Trustees were: Frank Crockett, D. C. Noble, George Y. Farmer, William T. Angus, Alex Dunbar, B. C. Campbell, William Young and C. E. Duerr. The Society met the first Friday of each month at the Pythiuan Temple 919 Huron Road, Cleveland, Ohio. Additional information about the Benevolent Society, or the individuals mentioned would be greatly appreciated.
The Scottish Old Folks Home Cleveland FOR SALE
ReplyDelete1835 North Park Blvd Cleveland Heights, OH 44106 $777,000
Listing Agent: Lou Barbee 440-899-0000 -
This striking 19-room Georgian was carefully built for the archbishop from 1903 to 1905. Exceptional craftsmanship. A landmark three-story full brick home with exquisite details throughout. Over 9000 sf (including the finished full guest suite on the third floor), it features exceptional room sizes, magnificent woodwork, and beautiful appointments including seven fireplaces, eight foot paneled doors, and ten foot ceilings. The grand living room ends at a floor to ceiling lead glass bay, drenching the room with sunlight. The evenings are illuminated by a massive blue marble fireplace, replicating the hues that hallmark the front hall, and a repeating theme of beamed ceilings. Stunning entry. Beautifully appointed. The high volume barrel ceiling is accemted with gorgeous timbering and diamond patterns in shades of blue. One of a kind.
Handsome front door with decorative dentils and pilasters. In the living room a seven paneled bay window created a natural space for the grand piano, and whimsical track lighting contrasts with the formal proportions and original woodwork. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, an early 20th-century Scottish architect. The original library is now exclusively a music library. The kitchen is bright and high ceilinged with "cartoon" marbling and a U-shaped island complete with brass rail.
The ground floor walks out to a large deck and gazebo. Imaginative landscaping and brick terrace off the sun room. Owned by the Catholic Diocese (much larger geographically than it is now and including what is now as far as the Diocese of Youngstown), the builders of the home used special care - fit for royalty.
Later, this distinguished home housed a family known for their very elegant but frequently wild parties. One story goes that the father of the family invited a group of drinking companions to his house for a party only to discover the next morning that the house had been stripped of many valuables. In the 1940's the house was operated as the Scottish Old Folks home under the direction of Matron Harriet Hepburn. After that it was owned by the Rose Institute, and then by various individual owners. An amazing and simply stunning historic home with many modern updates.