History
In 1884, a group of civic leaders met to establish a home for retired "gentlewomen" where they could live out the balance of their days with dignity. Thus was born The Springfield Home for Aged Women. The founders raised funds among themselves and from other prominent area families and purchased a house in downtown Springfield. This first home could accommodate sixteen women and admitted the first residents in November 1886.
The Board soon realized a need to expand its capabilities and in 1898 purchased another site in Springfield at the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900. In 1960, the name of the home was changed to Chestnut Knoll, at the suggestion of the residents. Chestnut Knoll began to admit men in 1993.
In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living, housed in one building with various common areas. The Assisted Living Wing opened on February 11, 1997. On March 1, 1997, residents began moving into the Independent Living apartments.
In 2003 the Board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow, with the Assisted Living Wing continuing to be known as Chestnut Knoll. Glenmeadow continues to operate as a not-for-profit organization, managed by a local board of directors.
