The Annals of Brattleboro report “In 1892, owing
to agitation for a home for disabled persons, C. F. Thompson
wrote an article for Brattleboro’s newspaper, The
Vermont Phoenix, on this need.” The article read,
in part, “Renewed interest is manifested for establishing
an old ladies’ home in Brattleboro and in answer
to a general request a meeting is to be held next Monday
evening [September 19, 1892] to consider the subject and
if possible, to take some definite action.” A committee
was appointed at the meeting to draft a charter. On November
19, 1892, the General Assembly of the State of Vermont
enacted the incorporation of The Brattleboro Home for the
Aged and Disabled.
A gift of $5000 from Elisha D. Smith enabled the purchase
of the present property on Western Ave. The land and farmhouse
were part of the estate of William H. Esterbrook. The building
was dedicated on December 29, 1897 and the first residents
arrived that year. Mrs. Celestia Nash was the Home’s
first Matron.
Dr. Henry D. Holton, a local physician, was instrumental
in the formation and establishment of the Home and served
as its first President. Dr. Holton enjoyed some renown.
He was president of the Vermont Medical Society and Vice-President
of the American Medical Association. He served as a chair
of University of Vermont’s medical school, leading
it through a period of great growth. Dr. Holton was on
the Brattleboro School Board for 25 years and served as
chair for 15 years. He was elected to the Vermont General
Assembly and to the Senate. Dr. Holton served on numerous
other Boards for area businesses, such as Vermont National
Bank, and human service organizations, such as the Austine
Institution.
As Dr. Holton described it, “The house is designed
primarily to furnish, at a moderate expense, a comfortable
and congenial home for people of good character and habits,
who, through death or misfortune, are left in advancing
age and infirmities with limited means and without suitable
homes, care and companionship.”
In 1903, due to the need for more space, the original
Esterbrook farmhouse was moved back from its foundation
near the Avenue and, with a $10,000 gift from Russell Lamb
and $5000 from Harry Newman, the large stone Greek Revival
structure was constructed. It was built of area mountain
stone. Indoor plumbing and central heating were not commonplace
but were installed in the Home.
Thelma Howe was the Home’s Matron from 1944 to 1980.
Rev. Donald Gardener followed her. Succeeding him as Administrator
in 1987 was Craig Hammond. Upon his departure in 1999,
Cindy Jerome was hired.
The Visiting Committee was established shortly after the
Home opened and was instrumental in creating “Donation
Days” which turned into “Harvest Days”.
In 1977 a newspaper article mentioned that the Committee
had more than 150 members!
The Home was originally structured to require only a sizable
admission fee, after which the Home took responsibility
for “life care”, covering all costs incurred
by the resident, up to and including nursing home care
and sometimes even funeral expenses. By 1978, the increased
use of nursing homes had made this plan untenable. A plea
was made to all life care residents to assist in any way
possible, including outright gifts and voluntary conversion
to a monthly resident plan, in which monthly fees were
paid for care received at the Home. By the end of 1979,
despite general cooperation by residents, the Home faced
bankruptcy. All unrestricted assets had been tapped and
a court decision ruled that the Home was still liable to
life care residents for the cost of nursing home care.
Rather than liquidate and close the Home, the Board elected
to file for reorganization under Chapter 11.
In 1982 a fund drive for $100,000 was held for capital
improvements, including a new elevator. The Home began
its relationship with the Thompson Trust at that time;
they donated $50,000 of the total needed.
The Board of Directors voted on September 25, 1975 to
change the Home’s name from Brattleboro Home for
the Aged and Disabled to Holton Memorial Home. In 2002,
the Board dropped “Memorial”, legally changing
the name to Holton Home. In 2003, the name was changed
again to Holton Home, Inc.
The Home is exempt from federal income tax under section
501(c)(3) and is classified as a private foundation. Because
the majority of income derives from fees paid for services
rendered, Holton Home is not exempt from sales tax. The
original 1892 state statute incorporating the Home dictated
that the first $25,000 in value of the Home be free from
property taxes. The Legislature increased that amount to
$50,000 in 1906. As the value of the Home grew, this limit
was forgotten. When the town noticed this oversight, taxes
were assessed again. The Home quickly moved to request
a full exemption and this has been granted, in one year
or five year blocks, since then. In 2008, the Legislature
increased to $500,000 the value of the Home exempt from
education taxes. The municipal tax exemption remains at
$50,000.
 |
| Holton Home Residents circa 1930* |
By the summer of 2001, the condition of the original Esterbrook
house had deteriorated such that the Board voted to gut
and renovate the rear half of the first floor. This area
included the dining room, kitchen, laundry, supplies storage,
hair salon and offices. The refinished space included all
this as well as an activities room, nurse’s station
and handicapped accessible entrance. The ten-foot screened-in
porch was converted to finished space with a new poured
foundation. A ten-foot addition was added to the west side.
The area previously housing the unheated freezer/kitchen
storage room and open-air ramp was converted to finished
space. A stair tower to the second floor was added, replacing
an exterior fire escape.
Over the history of the Home, those it has served have
grown more frail. While earlier residents had jobs and
cars and participated in the upkeep of the Home, current
residents average in their late 80s and generally require
assistance with activities of daily living and with managing
chronic diseases. Holton Home is presently licensed as
a Level 3 Residential Care Home. (Levels 1 and 2 indicate
skilled nursing care in a nursing home.)
As the residents’ needs grew, the seven rooms on
the second floor of the old Esterbrook farmhouse became
inadequate. Starting in September 2005 and completed in
May 2006, this area was expanded over the ten foot addition
built in 2001. All seven resident rooms were enlarged,
well insulated and given full baths. The hallway was also
widened.
Demographics point to a burgeoning elder population while
at the same time Vermont further implements a policy of
offering alternatives to nursing home placement. By meeting
strict staffing criteria, Holton Home was one of the first
facilities in the state to qualify for participation in
the Choices for Care program, welcoming those who need
nursing home level of care but prefer the home-like environment
of a residential care home. This need for our services
will only grow.
June 2002
Updated March 2007
Updated August 2008
* Photo from With Interest, 1930
Holton Home • 158 Western Avenue • Brattleboro, VT •
05301
Tel: 802.254.4155
