Marker placement recognizes Memorial Home in Brookville

Friday was a red-letter day for a group of pioneering women as the efforts of the original founders of the Pennsylvania Memorial Home were recognized by the placement of a Pennsylvania Historical Society marker.

Kate Scott, a Civil War nurse, and Annie Wittemyer of the Women’s Relief Corps (WRC) helped establish the Pennsylvania Memorial Home in Brookville as a home not only for former soldiers but also for their wives, children and widows.

It was the first such facility in Pennsylvania to accept the families of the soldiers.

“The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission congratulates you on the 2,005 memorial markers to be erected across the state,” said Ken Burkett, who was representing the Historical Commission. “Each marker represents a link to the past. It is my hope this marker will not end the story but provide encouragement for further study and discussion.”

“These single threads are woven into the rich tapestry of our diverse heritage,” said Burkett, who is the executive director of the Jefferson County Historical Society.

Local historian Carole Briggs related the story of Scott, who served as one of the first nurses in the Civil War and later wrote the history of the 105th Pennsylvania Regiment.

She wrote the first history of Jefferson County and was involved with her father’s newspaper, The Brookville Republican.

Scott was a leader in the fight to bring the Memorial Home to Brookville. Later in her life she fought to get pensions for Civil War nurses.

“This a proud day for WRC Senior Services,” said Cynthia Russell, president of the WRC board of directors. “From humble beginnings in 1890 until the present day, WRC Senior Services has never lost sight of who they are. It is about caring for those who cared for us,” Russell added.

The Pennsylvania Memorial Home was built about 1841. It was acquired for use as a soldier’s convalescent home in 1889 and was used for that purpose into the 1970s.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The Women’s Relief Corps operated the home on Euclid Avenue in Brookville until the new facility opened at Brookside.

Currently WRC Senior Services operates facilities in New Bethlehem, Clarion, Brookville and Ridgway.