2012 Spring - Volume 29 No.1 - Grosse Pointe Historical Society

Services for Older CitizensA Home of thier Own(This article is taken from information on the SOC website,socservices.org.)Since 1978, Services for Older Citizens has been helpingseniors remain in their own home with dignity. Today, SOCserves 9,000 of the 11,000 seniors in our community each year.But in 34 years of serving the community, SOC was outgrowingits facilities and the need for a building that has adequatespace for the programs the seniors need was becoming evident.A NEW FACILITYSOC’s vision is a simple one--to continue to provide thebest services to seniors living in the Grosse Pointes and HarperWoods communities. To realize this vision, SOC was gifted alease for $1.00 on a 10,000 sq. ft. facility for the next 30 years- the beautiful, historic Newberry House on Ridge Road inGrosse Pointe Farms adjacent to Cottage Hospital. Thisgenerous donation by Henry Ford Health System willdramatically transform senior services in the Grosse Pointesand Harper Woods by providing more space for programswhile also making sure that SOC will remain economicallysustainable.Currently an estimated $3 million restoration of theNewberry House is taking place. The new facility will include:• A lobby with a (volunteer) receptionist• A dedicated dining/banquet room available for SOCactivities and community events• A fully functional kitchen• Several multi-purpose activity rooms adaptable to exerciseand yoga classes, crafts, educational classrooms for lecturesand computer classesLewis Mansion/Parish Houseat St. Paul’s Catholic ChurchThe Parish House on St. Paul’s property has a wonderful rich history.Below are two letters describing the origins of this property.• A mediacenter• A safe,welcoming place to have coffee, play cards and sit incomfortable chairs with a friend at all hours of the day• Private offices for social workers• Increased office space to accommodate 100% morevolunteers than SOC can currently have at any given time.The new home on Ridge Road will vastly enhance SOC’sability to improve its programming. Current programs offeredmonthly will be offered weekly, including:• Teas• Birthday celebrations• Theme weeks• Educational programs• Special WorkshopsCurrent programs offered weekly will be offered daily.This will include:• Computer classes• Lunch five days a week instead of four• Trips• Wii tournamentsNewberry HouseAs many people know, the Newberry House was at onetime a nurses’ residence. SOC is asking anyone with memoriesor photos of their time spent at the home to call them.SOC is currently operating in the Henry Ford MedicalCenter – Cottage, 159 Kercheval on the 3rd floor. For moreinformation, call 882-6900.Letter from E. LewisThese houses were built in the late 1800s, maybe 1890. The one on the left,Alexander C. Lewis, my grandfather, lived in it until he died in 1908. Then itwas sold to Edwin Scott Barbour and years later sold to Mrs. Barbour’s nephew Byrus Henry. St. Paul Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Drive, G. P. F.purchased it in about 1930? It is now the parish house for the church. The other house on the right belonged to my father A. Aug. Lewis where we lived untilhe died in 1919. It was then sold about 1927 to Mrs. John Wendell Anderson who had it torn down about 1930. The property is now owned by the Church.I hope this bit of information will be of some help.Sincerely, E. LewisLewis MansionLetter from Annette RemickHouse on 151 Lake Shore Road. In the Burton abstract #301371, my grandfather, Alexander Lewis, purchased this property in 1854 from Thomas W.Lewis, a relative. (Brother I think) My grandfather built these two houses with the bridge on top. (When, I do not know). He lived with our family on theone on the right, next to the church, and “gave” the other each summer to a different son or daughter, Muir, Currie, Carpenter, Henry B. Lewis families. Latermy father, Ingersoll Lewis bought both houses from our Lewis Estate, and then the insurance company made him remove the bridge as it was a fire risk. Welived for years in the house on the right, later selling the other house to Edwin Barbour, in about 1922. Mrs. Barbour’s father was then living next door to ourproperty-Mr. Albert Henry, father of Burns Henry and Edith Henry Barbour.After renting this house of our on Ridge Road from the Deans for 22 years I have just bought it – so am now, once again back on old Lewis property,where I used to come with my pony cart, as a child – it was all fields and a lovely violet filled swamp then!Cordially,Annette Remick3