The Edwin Forrest Home was founded in 1873 under the provisions of the will of Edwin Forrest, a prominent nineteenth-century actor. The Philadelphia home was created to house up to twelve aging and infirm actors. Residents were welcomed after careful consideration of their contributions to the profession and their health. Admitted retirees were permitted to live at the home, free of charge, for the duration of their lives. The Edwin Forrest Home eliminated many of the burdens of old age, including those financial strains related to necessary medical treatment and burial expenses. The institution initially operated in Forrest's country estate, "Springbrook," in the Holmesburg section of North Philadelphia. In the 1920s, it was relocated to a manor house in Fairmount Park. Here, it continued to serve retired actors until 1986 when it was closed for financial reasons. The institution then merged with a similar retirement facility; the Lillian Booth Actors' Home of the Actors' Fund of America in Englewood, New Jersey.
From the description of Edwin Forrest Home records, 1792-1990 (bulk 1872-1988) (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 68810602
