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The National Lutheran Home for the Aged was incorporated on December 13, 1890. Stipulation was that the building commence within three years and finish within five years of the date of the grant per Mrs. Sarah Utermehle, generous donator of the 27 acre tract of land.
Legal ownership of the land for the original National Lutheran Home for the Aged in Washington D.C. established in a deed recorded on January 8, 1891 from Mrs. Sarah Utermehle, Church of the Reformation, and limits the Home to the service of the "aged."
Milestones
• January 8, 1893 – The Board of Trustees of the Home contracted for the establishment of a modest cottage.
• May 3, 1893 – Ground Breaking on Easter Monday.
• 1894 – The Board of Lady Managers was organized.
• May 3, 1895 – First occupant enters the Home.
• 1897 and 1898 – Original cottage enlarged reaching a capacity of 30 rooms.
• October 8, 1913 – Ground breaking on a new building, larger, fire-proof, and with modern conveniences with cornerstone laid November 9, 1913.
• November 24, 1914 – Occupancy of new building with 60 rooms.
• Throughout this period the Home was under the general direction of the Rev. Dr. John Weidley who later became the first Pastor-Superintendent of the Home.
• Mid 1920s – Home’s Endowment Fund created – started by contribution from Mrs. Mamie E. Norment , the daughter of Mrs. Sarah Utermehler.
• Prior to 1940, Lutheran Deaconesses lived in and operated the Home.
• 1941 – Pastor-Superintendent’s residence occupied.
• 1941 – Miss A. Barbara Weigand was elected President of The Women’s Auxiliary as The Board of Lady Managers was asked to reorganize so that the interest and services of the women of all the parishes of the constituent synods could be enlisted.
• Founder’s Day 1947 – Cornerstone laid for new Maryland Building housing 65 residents and 8 staff members.; Staff residence completed and dedicated as the Weidley Memorial.
• Founder’s Day 1949 – Newly enlarged chapel provided by the now named Women’s Auxiliary
• Early 1950s – Main building renovated with an additional floor including 32 rooms.
• 1951 – Ground breaking for new Pennsylvania Synod Building and dedicated on Founder’s Day 1952.
• 1955 – Addition and renovations over the years had increased the Home’s capacity to 245.
• March 14, 1966 – Excavation began for East Wing Infirmary addition and contained 39 single rooms and 8 double rooms, housing 55 residents and bringing the total number of beds to 300.
• June 1974 - 25.5 acre site in Rockville purchased.
• February 26, 1978 – Groundbreaking for new National Lutheran Home in Rockville, Maryland.
• April 25, 1978 – Construction began on new Home.
• August 19, 1980 – Residents occupy new Home with dedication service on November 8, 1980.
• November 25, 1981 – Groundbreaking for first Independent Living units numbering 38 units.
• August 2008 – Additional Independent Living units have been built in phases. Currently there are 144 units.
• September 2008 – Marketing offices opens in Winchester, Va., to support the development of a new continuing care retirement community.
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