ROCKLAND — The Talbot Home’s annual Silver Tea is just around the corner, a tradition for more than 60 years, and this year’s tea fundraiser is being held to help with capital improvements to the home that serves seniors seeking a home and personal assistance to live there.

Long-range plans for the Talbot Home include upgrading the remaining bathrooms, the kitchen and driveway, and possibly creating another suite. This year, the Tea will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. All are welcome and ladies are encouraged to wear tea hats.

The Talbot Home — Then and Now

David Talbot was born in Rockport in 1859. He worked for his father, a Rockport businessman, before establishing his own business, a livery stable with a large number of teams that were used in transporting lime rock. In 1888 he moved to Omaha, Neb., where he joined his brother-in-law in the ice business. While there he developed his own successful ice company and was referred to by some as the "Omaha Ice King." He returned to Rockland for health reasons in 1905, when he and his wife, Cora (Hewitt) Talbot, purchased property from George L. Knight on what was then-Middle Street in Rockland. Eventually becoming a prominent Rockland citizen, David Talbot was instrumental in improving roads in Rockland to accommodate automobiles, and subsequently Middle Street was renamed Talbot Avenue.

In 1882 Lavinia Thorndike of Camden spoke to a meeting of ladies in Rockland concerning the need for an institution for Rockland's senior citizens. The first Home for Aged Women opened Oct. 27, 1900, with Lorinda Borstel as its matron. Dolly Walsh was the first occupant of that home at 148 North Main St. and in order to cover operating expenses, a donation tea was held that became an annual event. Early records show expenses from Nov. 1, 1900, to April 1, 1902, as $629.

Cora Talbot, and later her daughter-in-law, Pauline, were very involved with the Home for Aged Women. This institution moved to 73 Talbot Ave. shortly after the Talbot house was donated Aug. 15, 1963, to the association by Joan Talbot Foote and Marion Talbot Lilley (daughters of William and Pauline and granddaughters of David and Cora). The Home for Aged Women was then renamed The Talbot Home. Just prior to moving to Talbot Avenue, expenses averaged $1,000 per month. Comparatively, current monthly operating expenses average $17,000.

Cora Talbot's sister, Dora Pratt, had two children, Harry and Maude, both teachers at the Good Will School in Hinckley and both unmarried. It was through their generosity that an endowment fund was established for the maintenance of The Talbot Home.

The Talbot Home is a classic Victorian structure on tree-lined Talbot Avenue in the heart of Rockland with accommodations for six. The suite and five rooms, all with private baths, today are fully occupied. The Talbot Home’s administrator, Nancy Riley, has created a cheerful and friendly atmosphere in a beautiful setting where families and friends are always welcome. Sharon Sallinen, Social Committee chair, has recruited volunteers who spend regularly scheduled time at The Home.

For those thinking of the possibility of assisted living or who know someone who could benefit from having a little more help, the Talbot Home is a private, nonprofit, six bed assisted living/residential care facility that looks and feels like home. The Talbot Home offers private bedrooms with a private or semi-private bathroom, three home-cooked meals per day, medication preparation, laundry, cleaning and activities. The home has a warm sun room, gracious living room and dining room and several pleasant sitting areas throughout its three floors.