Columbus Colony Elderly Care History

Columbus Colony Elderly Care (CCEC) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1977. CCEC is part of a tradition of service which goes back to 1896, when the first Ohio Home for the Aged Deaf was founded.

CCEC is operated by the Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association. In addition to CCEC, the OSDAA operates Columbus Colony Housing (CCH) which is a 106-unit apartment complex, and ten cottages for Deaf persons on nearly 100-acre park-like campus.

Knowing where we began, and what we have grown into is a priceless legacy for the Deaf community. Our history begins with the opening of the Deaf school, the Ohio Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, in 1829 with three students. The school, on Broad and High Street, eventually grew to size that required a move to larger facilities, on Old Town Street and Washington Ave., this location was expanded as the school grew.

August 30 and 31, 1870 the first reunion, called the Ohio Deaf-Mute Alumni Association, was held at the school. The convention was held at the school and was lead by Gilbert O. Fay, the superintendent of the school, and The Reverend Collin Stone, principal of the American Asylum at Hartford Connecticut. The event attracted a number of leaders from different states.

Rutherford B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio was present and gave a speech. He later became the 19th President of the United States (1877-1881).

During the reunion, the first officers and board members were elected. Samuel Flenniken, was the first president, he was also one of the first three students at the school in 1829. A constitution and by-laws were written. The goals to promote the welfare and lifestyle of the Deaf community were established. The members had to pay a quarter for the annual membership. The organization was chartered in 1885. The alumni association held a reunion every two or three years. Each year several hundred people attended.

In 1889, at the 7th reunion, someone brought up a concern about several Deaf people who lived in different county homes in Ohio. They lived in isolation because the staff and other residents were not able to communicate with them. The Deaf people were not able to be placed outside their county because of regulations and money matters.

There was a lot of hot debate about this issue, and it was decided to set-up a committee to explore many alternatives for the situation. The committee was made up of: Robert Patterson, principal at OSD; Robert MacGregor, a high school teacher at OSD (he helped establish the first National Association of the Deaf convention in Cincinnati in 1880, and was elected the first NAD president); A.B. Grenner; Albert Schory; W. Zorn; C.W. Charles and others. At the Alumni reunion they decided to draw a plan for a home for the Deaf.

The committee made their report to the members during the 1892 reunion. They had studied different county homes to see how they were run, and decided they could set-up a home for the Deaf. They recommended that the association donate $500 (from the treasury) to start a "Home Fund." However, within an hour $2,414 had been pledged by individual members.

Historical picture of Columbus Colony (Color) - OHAD as it stands today.
OHAD as it stands today off
Sunbury Road in Westerville, OH

The committee looked for property for a long time. They didn't find anything until OSD superintendent Rev. W.S. Eagles informed the board that Central College was for sale, located on Sunbury Road in Westerville. The location was found to be suitable and the surrounding property was also available for the alumni to buy and use for a farm to support the home. The land, 15 acres, and buildings were purchased for $3,300. The college was moved to Wooster, Ohio. The Fairchild building is the only original building still in existence. The building was named after Mr. Fairchild, the only student who graduated from Central College.

In 1895, the members attending the 9th reunion went to see the property for the first time. They traveled to Dempsey Road on a street car and then rode in wagons the remaining two miles.

The board was concerned about the money that would be needed for repairs, furniture, kitchen equipment, water supply and other necessities that would make the building habitable. Organizations like the Ladies Aid Society from different cities all over Ohio helped with fund-raising. Later, another 15 acres were acquired for $1,000.

In 1896, about 200 people (equally divided hearing and Deaf) attended the opening ceremony. People came from every corner of Ohio to celebrate the opening on December 12, despite the cold weather.

The first superintendent for this national Deaf home was Mr. And Mrs. A.G. Byers. They managed the institution until October 1, 1909.

The state of Ohio's General Assembly passed O.L. 93, page 212, in 1898, allowing Deaf people to be transferred to the Ohio Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf from other counties, at the same expense as the county.

In 1921, another 41 acres were purchased for $4,000 bringing the total to 156 acres. The general farm was self-supporting, giving the residents everything they needed including livestock, crops, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. The residents kept the farm rolling. The students from Ohio School for the Deaf would take the trolley and then hay wagons to the Ohio Home. The boys would harvest, doing the sowing, paint, etc. The girls would keep busy canning food, sewing clothes, clearing, etc. On Sunday afternoons OSD students would pay 10 cents for a show, the money was then used to pay utility bills.

During the World War sugar rationing made it hard on everyone. It was almost impossible to can fruits and vegetables. So, large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables were served.

In 1922, Wornstaff Hall was opened to house men, the cost was $26,662. It was named after Albertus Wornstaff, of Wooster, Ohio. He was an OSD graduate who passed away at an early age, his father donated $5,000 to the Ohio Home.

The trees that had to be cut down to allow for crops were sent to the mill and the wood was used to repair barns and build small buildings.

The cows produced a lot of milk which was sent to a dairy to be processed. It was then returned to OHAD for the residents. Any surplus milk products were sold to produce more income.

A lot of support was given by organizations and individuals to offset the expense of the home. Dr. Edward Abernathy, OSD superintendent, was an honorary member of the Board of Managers, he collected over $200 from his staff. One of the most supportive advocates and best fund-raisers was Augustus J. Beckert, who served the Board of Managers for more than 40 years and more than 20 years as treasurer for OHAD.

Mr. Beckert, who was a student supervisor, encouraged every student at OSD to donate to the home or help with fund-raising. There were many former students who were very involved with the old home.

The organizations in Ohio who regularly supported or furnished one or more rooms in the home were:

There were two boards: Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association's Board of Governors who owned the old home and property, all members were former OSD students. The other one was the Board of Managers who worked to oversee the operation of OHAD or old home, members who were Deaf and hearing (friend or relatives of Deaf people, not required to be former OSD students).

In the mid 1950's, the state banned resident-labor in retirement homes. The farm was shut down. Since all food had to be purchased from outside, the costs went sky-high, and the home began loosing money. Some residents were welfare recipients, and the money helped, but there still wasn't enough money. The alumni association used their funds to pay the difference for many years. August 31, 1958 was the day the 32 bed semi-skilled care building was dedicated, it cost $165,000.

The Ohio General Assembly set regulations for all nursing homes in Ohio and the existing OHAD facilities did not meet state code. The hallways were too small, the doors needed to be larger and had wood frames, and a water sprinkler system needed to be installed along with many other items. It was determined the building was too old and too many changes needed to be made to meet the state codes. Some alumni members attended the White House Conference on Aging to explore sources for funding a new building. They recommended an application for funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

On October 20, 1977 ground was broken for the building of Columbus Colony Elderly Care (CCEC), a 100 bed skilled care nursing home, and Columbus Colony Housing (CCH), a 106 unit independent living apartment complex. They were completed in the fall of 1979.

Both buildings are under HUD loan guarantee but CCEC is under regulations by the Ohio Department of Human Services. CCH is a HUD Section 202 and Section 8 facility which allows residents to qualify for housing assistance payments. CCEC is certified by Ohio Medicaid, 100% reimbursed by Medicaid.

In 1994, we built another 50 beds onto the nursing home so the total is now 150 beds. The new wing was opened in the fall of the 1995.

Now, both facilities are self-supporting.

In the Fall of 2001 a third building was completed with another 49 units for independent living. The state of the art facility, aptly named Columbus Colony Housing II, complements the existing structures with a campus-like atmosphere. Tours were given at the OSDAA Fall festival of 2001 and occupancy followed soon after.

The Board of Managers was dissolved when Columbus Colony opened. HUD required we have a board for Columbus Colony, it is the Board of Trustees, all the funds are kept separate from OSDAA.

Columbus Colony Housing II sign on brick displaying 2001 dedication.
Click here for additional pictures of the CCHII Open House

However, we use the same people for the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees. Everyone changes roles for the different issues.

The primary mission of CCEC is to provide comprehensive long-term care services, principally to the Deaf, hard of hearing and Deaf/Blind. The second mission is to foster communication between the Deaf and hearing communities. CCEC welcomes hearing persons, as well as the Deaf and hard of hearing.

The new facility, Columbus Colony Housing II (top two photos), opened its doors in September 2001. CCHII is now accepting applications for this modern building with many amenities for the Deaf, Deaf/Blind and hard of hearing. It shares the campus with Columbus Colony Housing (middle left). Also on campus is a shelter area for residents (middle right) and a guided connection walkway (bottom left) that connects to Columbus Colony Elderly Care (CCEC) (bottom right).

Artist conception in color of Columbus Colony campus with CCEC on right and CCH on left. CCH II is not pictured.

Concept to Finished Complex

Columbus Colony Elderly Care on the right is a star-shaped facility built in 1977, with 50 beds added in 1994 for a total of 150 beds. CCEC is separated from Columbus Colony Housing by Colony Drive. CCHII is now complete and was built to the right of CCH as viewed from the top rendition.

Take a visual tour of CCEC here.