Today in Wheeling History: May 7: Altenheim, a "Home for Aged and Friendless Women," primarily immigrant women who had worked as domestic servants in the United States and had no relatives or plans to return to their homeland, was formally opened in Wheeling in a ceremony attended by a large crowd, marking the transfer of the institution, founded by local brewer and philanthropist Anton Reymann, to the care of a Board of Trustees. (1891).
In 1891, Wheeling brewer Anton Reymann purchased the Mt. Belleview Hotel, a 40-room summer residence, and converted it into the "Home for Aged and Friendless Women," later known as Altenheim. The home primarily served immigrant women who had worked as domestic servants in the United States and needed a place to live in their later years. On May 7, 1891, Altenheim was formally opened and transferred to the care of a Board of Trustees in a ceremony attended by a large crowd. The original building was located at the corner of National Road and Altenheim Avenue, on the site of the present-day Kepner Funeral Home.
The current Altenheim building at 1387 National Road, also known as the John O. Schenk House, was constructed between 1919 and 1922. It was designed by architect Edward B. Franzheim in the Georgian Revival style, featuring a limestone facade and an elaborate portico with giant-order Corinthian columns supporting a full entablature and pediment. This building replaced an earlier house on the same site called Uplands. When Uplands was demolished, Franzheim reused its elaborate front portico for a house being remodeled in Highland Park before designing the new, equally impressive portico for the Schenk House.
Today, Altenheim operates as a home for independent men, women, and couples who are 65 years of age and older.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/bdemhkht) (https://tinyurl.com/4783k452) (https://tinyurl.com/muuvxrn5) (https://tinyurl.com/49rd7un8)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV: Google Maps
In 1891, Wheeling brewer Anton Reymann purchased the Mt. Belleview Hotel, a 40-room summer residence, and converted it into the "Home for Aged and Friendless Women," later known as Altenheim. The home primarily served immigrant women who had worked as domestic servants in the United States and needed a place to live in their later years. On May 7, 1891, Altenheim was formally opened and transferred to the care of a Board of Trustees in a ceremony attended by a large crowd. The original building was located at the corner of National Road and Altenheim Avenue, on the site of the present-day Kepner Funeral Home.
The current Altenheim building at 1387 National Road, also known as the John O. Schenk House, was constructed between 1919 and 1922. It was designed by architect Edward B. Franzheim in the Georgian Revival style, featuring a limestone facade and an elaborate portico with giant-order Corinthian columns supporting a full entablature and pediment. This building replaced an earlier house on the same site called Uplands. When Uplands was demolished, Franzheim reused its elaborate front portico for a house being remodeled in Highland Park before designing the new, equally impressive portico for the Schenk House.
Today, Altenheim operates as a home for independent men, women, and couples who are 65 years of age and older.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/bdemhkht) (https://tinyurl.com/4783k452) (https://tinyurl.com/muuvxrn5) (https://tinyurl.com/49rd7un8)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV: Google Maps
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