The Friends Home in Kennett, located just west of the tree-lined hub that is the heart of Kennett Square, is hard to miss.  It is built in the Second Empire (French) architectural style on a hill with a distinctive mansard roof, ornate third floor dormers, and wide wrap-around porch. Behind the porch, windows and shutters run the length from the ceiling to the floor. 

This large, grand house is a gem among the older buildings that make up much of the borough of Kennett Square.  But to the residents who live there, it is simply home.  

The building at 147 West State Street was constructed in 1843, the second of three boarding schools constructed by teacher, builder, and Quaker, Samual Martin.  It was first known as The Female Seminary, and then the Eaton Institute.  Builder and landowner Evan T. Swayne turned it into a boarding house for a while before using it as his private residence. He sold it to local Quakers in 1898 and Friends Home was established.  According to the Kennett Heritage Center (a museum located at 120 North Union St.), the population of Kennett Square Borough was 1,400 around the time of the purchase, compared to 6,100 today—a very different place.  

Friends Home Admissions and Marketing Coordinator Jennifer Dischert explained that the Quakers determined the acquisition necessary to serve their community.  “It was basically purchased for elderly local Friends members that didn’t have money to go anywhere else,” she said.  “That’s always been the mission of the Friends Home--to help those of modest means.  And that has carried over throughout our 125 years.”  

Friends Home is not like a lot of other retirement communities.  There is no upfront cost to new residents, and monthly fees are kept affordable.  “A lot of communities look new, like hotels,” Dischert said.  “Friends Home feels more like your grandparent’s home.  It’s very warm and welcoming, and has its own personality.”

The Friends Home in Kennett is a non-profit organization with a very clear mission. They are dedicated to providing a full range of high-quality care prioritizing residents’ independence in a home-like atmosphere for older men and women of modest means.  Though they were initially established to care for the Quaker community, all denominations are welcomed today.

The main house currently has 40 independent and personal care studio-type apartments, where meals are provided in the cheerful dining hall. Main house staff includes an administrator, nurses as well as personal care assistants to ensure each resident gets the level of care they need. There is a social calendar that includes exercise, music, and various hobby classes to keep residents engaged and learning. Common rooms include a library, parlor, community room, sunroom, snack bar, dining room, a store run by residents, a salon (open once per week), and of course, the porch. “The best thing here is the wrap-around porch,” Dischert said.  “Everybody loves it.”

Linden Hall, a 20-bed skilled nursing facility, was added in 1980.  Linden Hall has its own medical director along with a social worker, registered nurses and certified assistants. 

There are also 6 apartments in the two older buildings just to the west of the main house for residents who can be fully independent.  True to their mission, there is a place for every level of need.

Friends Home’s values are influenced by their Quaker origins, and include Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship—forming the acronym SPICES. All employees and residents practice these values every day in how they interact with each other and how they care for the building. “The residents and the staff treat each other like family.  All the time,” said Dischert.

Dischert added that the Home tries to be an integral part of the Kennett Square community.  They partner with local groups and offer sign-ups to residents who want to participate.  “Anytime we feel like there is a community event or a way to give back that our residents can do,” Dischert said.  Recently, residents helped the Rotary Club fill backpacks with school supplies for local children.  They also folded and sorted clothing donations at a shelter, and read to kindergarteners at a local Montessori school.  

Additionally, local community groups come in and interact with the residents.  For example, girl scouts visited and played cards, and dancers performed for St. Patrick’s Day.   Flowers are donated weekly so the residents can create centerpieces for the dining room tables.   “We try to mingle the residents with the community,” Dischert said. 

Stewardship of the building is a never-ending process.  Imagine all the changes it had to go through since it was built in 1843—central heating, electricity, telephone, providing private bathrooms, and air conditioning in addition to general maintenance.  Additions were made in 1912, 1914, 1952, and 1959 to serve the growing and varied needs of Kennett’s elderly community.    

“Everything is a challenge when you’re a non-profit, because you have to raise the funds for everything. With that said, everything that we want to do, everything that we’d like to update, we have to do it in pieces,” Dischert said.

The current “piece” is a project that will add a large elevator tower on one end of the building.  Currently, the main building has only one elevator for the 40 rooms.  “It can fit two residents at a time with their rollators,” Dischert said.  “It doesn’t accommodate enough people, and it doesn’t accommodate wheelchairs.”  If a resident can no longer use a walker or rollator, they can no longer live in the main building.  “If they’re healthy enough but they need to be in a wheelchair, we just can’t accommodate them,” Dischert said. “They’d have to find another placement.”

Resident Karen Zilke has lived in the main building for a little over a year.  “I give it an A-plus for cleanliness.  Next is the staff and workers,” she said.  “They are extremely friendly and helpful.”  From Wisconsin, Zilke moved here to be near her daughter.  

“One thing I was concerned about when I moved here is that I’d have no kitchen,” she said, “But the food here is wonderful.”  She liked that there is a bus that takes residents to the grocery store and special activities like trips to Longwood Gardens, concerts, and the Amish Market on Route 202.  She praised the staff.  “There’s a nurse’s station downstairs, and they’ll help you with medical, of course. But when I can’t get my TV to work right, they’ll come up and fix it.” The Home also has a car to transport residents to doctor and dentist appointments.  There is a washer and dryer down the hall, or she can use the laundry service.  She’s very happy here.  “Not as happy as if I was home with my husband and whatever.  But those days are over.  What can you do?” she said.

Friends Home has many celebrations planned as part of their 125-year celebration. Tours will be offered, as well as information about becoming a resident.

For more information about volunteer and donation opportunities, including the new elevator fundraising campaign (called ELEVATE), visit their website at www.fhkennett.org.  Contributions to Friends Home in Kennett are fully tax-deductible (EIN #23-0604260).