To spot the Mount Kemble Home, look for a charming two-and-a-half-story cream-colored house with green shutters, bright red doors, a long porch with white railings, and a tall flagpole right in front.
Now, standing here on the front lawn, imagine yourself whisked back to 1826 when the air was filled with the sound of hammers and saws building this very house. Over the years, what started as a stately residence became an ever-evolving home, its walls stretching and creaking as new wings and fresh coats of style were layered on-first Federal, then a whiff of Carpenter Gothic, and finally a splash of Colonial Revival for that touch of old-school grandeur. But here’s where the story hits a rather heartwarming twist: in 1890, seven determined women from the local Presbyterian Church banded together and turned this fancy address into a sanctuary for “Worthy and Destitute Women.” Yes, you could say this place has worn many hats... or bonnets! In 1905, thanks to Alfred R. Whitney’s generosity, the old mansion was given a south wing and a new name-the Old Ladies Home, where wit and wisdom multiplied like the houseplants on the porch. Finally, in 1940, it got its current name, the Mount Kemble Home. So as you stand here, imagine lives led with dignity, laughter echoing down the hallways, and the beautiful old house continuing its work as a place of welcome, shelter, and hope. And who knows-if you listen closely, you just might catch the giggle of some cheeky past resident who found a second chance inside these walls!
