In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live on what was called “the poor farm.” The conditions in these working farms were deplorable and they were feared – no one wanted to end up in them.
In 1884, what we know as Glenmeadow came into being when a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. This safe and dignified residence opened in November 1886 and accommodated sixteen women from the community without family or means. Fourteen years later, a new, larger home opened nearby, and in 1960, its name changed to Chestnut Knoll. We began admitting men in 1992.
Chestnut Knoll Becomes Glenmeadow
In 1993, the organization purchased a twenty-three-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent apartments and assisted living apartments in one building with various common areas.
This was a new concept known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). The volunteer Board of Directors voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property. Continuing Care Retirement Communities are now referred to as Life Plan Communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational, and personal exploration.
Serving The Community
Over time, Glenmeadow has evolved a wealth of service offerings in the community. In 2002, we unveiled Glenmeadow at Home, offering personal care, companionship, and home care services, now serving older adults living in homes throughout Greater Springfield.
In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live on what was called “the poor farm.” The conditions in these working farms were deplorable and they were feared – no one wanted to end up in them.
In 1884, what we know as Glenmeadow came into being when a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. This safe and dignified residence opened in November 1886 and accommodated sixteen women from the community without family or means. Fourteen years later, a new, larger home opened nearby, and in 1960, its name changed to Chestnut Knoll. We began admitting men in 1992.
Chestnut Knoll Becomes Glenmeadow
In 1993, the organization purchased a twenty-three-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent apartments and assisted living apartments in one building with various common areas.
This was a new concept known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). The volunteer Board of Directors voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property. Continuing Care Retirement Communities are now referred to as Life Plan Communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational, and personal exploration.
Serving The Community
Over time, Glenmeadow has evolved a wealth of service offerings in the community. In 2002, we unveiled Glenmeadow at Home, offering personal care, companionship, and home care services, now serving older adults living in homes throughout Greater Springfield.
