Finding aid for the Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged Records, Series II

History of the Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged

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

Scope and Content

The Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged Records, Series II, 1969-1983, consist of correspondence, minutes, promotional brochures, and reports.

This collection primarily pertains to the activities of the Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged in the 1980s. These activities include the consideration of funding sources, property purchase, and the possibility of a new nursing home facility by the board of trustees. Those interested in the history of the African American community in Cleveland, Ohio, and nursing home administration will find this collection useful.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 3532 Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged Records; MS 4637 Eliza Bryant Auxiliary II Records; and PG 473 Eliza Bryant Auxiliary II Photographs.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4421 Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged Records, Series II, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Mrs. Olive Bannister, 1983; and Olivia Martin, 1986.

Processing Information

Processed by Bari Oyler Stith in 1989.