Our Story

Kingston Hill began in 1887, with one neighbor looking out for another.   Catherine Hinkley, a recent widow, knocked on her neighbor, Elsie Stewart’s door and asked if she could live with them. She was not looking for a handout; she would pay $1 per week for her keep. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart welcomed her in.   Soon others heard about the Stewarts’ generosity and requested the same opportunity.

For the next 10 or so years, this little group moved to different houses in the southeast side of Cedar Rapids. Not much is known about Mr. Stewart other than that he passed away during these years.   Mrs. Stewart confided to some of her friends that with little to no funds, she did not believe that this group could stay together.   Her friends offered to help her and the home continued.

In the middle 1890′s it became apparent that the group needed a permanent home. Small fundraising efforts were begun. During this time, a gentleman from Waverly Iowa, Abraham Slimmer, read an article in the newspaper about the organizations efforts. He contacted the Board of Trustees and offered to match dollar for dollars, contributions from the community up to $25,000.  At the end, the volunteers were able to raise approximately $18,500 and Mr. Slimmer contributed a like amount. One day later, he came back to the board and made a second contribution of $30,000 to establish a trust fund. The organization was officially named The Home for Aged Women, but many in the community fondly referred to it as “The Old Ladies Home.

For the next 75 years, the home and its residents experienced many changes – automobiles, wars, the Great Depression, and so on.

With a significant gift from the Van Vechten family, the organization was able to build a second addition that increased the number of resident rooms by 16 and added several new community areas for residents to use and enjoy. At that time the organization also changed its name to Kingston Hill.

In 2004, the greatest change occurred during its 117-year history – the board of directors amended the admission policy to begin accepting men.

It was also about this time that Kingston Hill undertook its first public fundraising campaign for the renovations of the Victorian wing.   These renovations were focused on the safety and quality of life of residents. Following a successful fund drive, construction was completed in 2006.