The Converse Home’s original building holds a place on the Historic Register. It also holds a special place in Vermont’s history as a place of caring and compassion.
As the 1700’s were ending, local attorney William C. Harrington was building a home at the very end of Church Street in Burlington. It would be the site just a few years later for the signing of the University of Vermont by-laws. In 1844, Rev. John K. Converse established the Burlington Female Seminary on the same site. Tuition? Just six dollars per quarter. Converse’s home was also a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.
In 1886, a group of Burlington citizens founded a home when they were concerned about elderly women in the community who were alone and did not have families to support them. As a result of their efforts, the Home for Aged Women was established as a charitable organization.
In 1954, the name was changed to The Converse Home. And the staff at The Converse Home has steadfastly stood by its mission to provide older persons with a gracious home and high-quality services at a reasonable cost.
Today, The Converse Home now serves both men and women and is well known for its gracious, caring atmosphere. It is also known as a facility that has preserved its historical architectural integrity while allowing for the modern amenities that contribute to a better quality of life.