Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged.

First retirement home for elderly Blacks in Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded in 1896, by Eliza Bryant, and called the Cleveland Home for Aged Colored People. In 1960 it was renamed the Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged.

From the description of Records, 1898-1963. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 18124443

The Home for Aged Colored People was renamed The Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged in 1960 in honor of its founder. The home was located at 4807 Cedar Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, for more than 50 years and in 1967 moved to 1380 Addison Road.

Eliza Simmons Bryant was born in North Carolina and came to Cleveland, Ohio with her mother in 1858. An atmosphere of good will and charity prevailed in the home that Mrs. Simmons established on Newton Street (now East 31st Street) for her three children. Her home became well known to African American families coming North; they considered it a most desirable place in which to stay until they could provide their own homes.

Reared in such surroundings, Eliza became alerted to the necessity of assisting the needy and the helpless. This, coupled with her knowledge that homes for the aged of that day did not admit African Americans, led her in 1893 toward getting a number of African Americans interested in establishing a home for aged black people.

The Home for Aged Colored People was incorporated in September 1896, and on September 2, 1897, the Home was formally dedicated. It was located at Giddings Street (now East 71st Street) and Lexington Avenue and cost $2,000 to build. More adequate facilities were established at 2520 East 39th Street, between Scovill and Woodland Avenue in 1901, and in 1914 the building on Cedar Avenue was purchases at a cost of $9,000.

The Eliza Bryant Home is significant because it is the first organized welfare institution begun by African Americans for African Americans in Cleveland. It was the first philanthropic sheltered care service to elderly African Americans in Cleveland. The records reflect the early financial struggles of the Home to remain solvent. When it became a member of the Welfare Federation of Cleveland, the financial problems of the trustees were somewhat alleviated.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Eliza Bryant Village

From the guide to the Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged Records, 1898-1968, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

The Home for Aged Colored People of Cleveland, Ohio, was renamed The Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged in 1960 in honor of its founder. the home was located at 4807 Cedar Avenue for more than 50 years and in 1967 it was moved to 1380 Addison Road. Eliza Simmons Bryant was born in North Carlina and came to Cleveland, Ohio, with her mother in 1858. An atmosphere of good will and charity prevailed in the home that Mrs. Simmons established on Newton Street (now East 31st Street) for her three children. Her home became well known to families coming North; they considered it a most desirable place in which to stay until they could provide their own homes. Reared in such surroundings, Eliza became alerted to the necessity of assisting the needy and the helpless. This, coupled with her knowledge that homes for the aged of that day did not admit African Americans, led her in 1893 toward getting a number of local African American individuals interested in establishing a home for the aged, including Sara Green and Lethia Fleming. The Home for Aged Colored People was incorporated in September of 1896 and on September 2, 1897, the home was formally dedicated. It was located at Giddings Street (now East 71st Street) and Lexington Avenue and cost $2,000. More adequate facilities were established at 2520 East 39th Street, between Scovill and Woodland, in 1901. In 1914 the building on Cedar Avenue was purchased at a cost of $9,000. the Eliza Bryant Home is significant because it is the first organized welfare institution begun by African Americans for African Americans in Cleveland. Additionally, it was the first philanthropic sheltered care service to elderly African Americans in Cleveland. The records reflect the early financial struggles of the home to remain solvent. When it became a member of the Welfare Federation of Cleveland, the financial problems of the trustees were somewhat alleviated.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Eliza Bryant Home (Eliza Bryant Village) click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Eliza Bryant

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Lethia Fleming

From the guide to the Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged Records, Series II, 1969-1983, (Western Reserve Historical Society)