In May 1921 George B. Showalter from Rockingham County, Virginia left $1,000.00 in his will to be used for the care of older adults in the "establishment of a home for the aged" in Virginia. It was not until 30 years later in February 1951 that the Virginia Mennonite Home Corporation was formed. Its first Chairman was M.C. Showalter, the son of George. A building committee was appointed in April 1952.  In 1953 excavation was begun, and in July 1954 a 40-bed home for the aged became a reality as Virginia Mennonite Home opened its doors and was officially dedicated.

Virginia Mennonite Home (now known as Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community) in 2008 was an organization of more than 750 residents and 400 staff.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Phone: 540-564-3400

Website: Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1132. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2009 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

MLA style: Bender, Harold S. and Sam Steiner. "Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Feburary 2009. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2009 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/virginia_mennonite_retirement_community_harrisonburg_virginia_usa>

APA style: Bender, Harold S. and Sam Steiner. (Feburary 2009). "Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2009 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/virginia_mennonite_retirement_community_harrisonburg_virginia_usa>