Our History

Ford died on September 23, 1940, at the age of 87. His widow, Mollie, continued to reside in their home on Main Street in New Harmony until her death in 1954. Two years later, on Sunday, May 6, 1956, Mr. Ford’s wishes were fulfilled with the opening of the Charles Ford Memorial Home, in the converted residence he and Mollie had shared.

In the early years, preference for admission to the home was given to women who lived in Posey County and New Harmony. Mr. Ford’s Trust stipulated that all applicants were to be at least 65 years of age, of good moral character, and able to furnish references. There was to be no religious preference. An entrance fee and the assignment of all real estate, personal property and investments were required. In exchange, the residents were to receive a monthly allowance, complete care, support and maintenance for the rest of their lives. The original accommodations were provided by using a combination of the Ford home, including many pieces of their furniture, and later, with the addition of a guest wing. The retirement community functioned in this space for more than forty years.

In 1996, facing challenging changes in the healthcare industry, the Ford Home Trustees were granted permission by Posey County Court to begin admitting residents on a monthly rental basis.

In 2009, the Trustees retained a consultant specializing in retirement home management to discuss the future operation of the Home. The consultant advised that without significant changes to the building and programs, the Home would not ultimately be able to continue to serve the area.

In October 2011, determined to continue Ford’s mission to provide assisted and supportive living services, the Trustees sought and were given permission from the Court to terminate the Trust in favor of a non-profit corporation. Trustees explained that this change would provide greater flexibility in managing the operation, thus empowering the organization to remain a viable entity and to further Ford’s intention. As a part of this action, the corporation’s governance moved from
three trustees to nine appointed board members.

Today, the Charles Ford Memorial Home, Inc. d.b.a., (doing business as) the Charles Ford Retirement Communities of New Harmony is licensed as a Residential Health Care Facility (an assisted living facility) and the power of administration is given to a licensed administrator, along with the nine-member board of directors. Together, they oversee the management of the Community, its policies, and investment funds, approve and sign all checks, and have final approval of large purchases and capital expenditures.

In 2014, the Board of Directors began a project to renovate resident rooms to include more convenient in-room showers and kitchenettes. After forty-eight years of operation, the Community began to admit men, and large resident rooms now accommodate couples.

Also, in response to the changing needs of the Community’s residents, the Board implemented a resident assistance service care model in order to provide better assistance with activities of daily living. At the same time, every effort is made to keep the monthly fee affordable to adhere as closely as possible with the original intent and mission of Charles Ford.

Currently, residents 55 years and older are admitted to the Community as monthly renters. No admittance fee is required, and no assets are turned over. In exchange for a monthly fee, each resident receives room, board, meals, wellness checks, all utilities except telephone service, transportation to doctors’ appointments, and a comprehensive Life Enrichment program.

Originally built to be the Ford family residence, the structure is still the site of unmatched grace, beauty and local history, and one resident remains under the original lifetime agreement.

In 2019, the Charles Ford board of directors announced its intent to embark on a building project with the potential of expanding services to include free-standing independent living structures, additional assisted living capacity, and the continuing renovation of the building’s common living areas. Renovation of the facility’s communal living areas was completed, but then calamity struck and the deadly COVID-19 virus spread worldwide. Subsequently, the advisability of any structural expansion halted and business development was set aside in order to place all focus on virus prevention for our residents and staff.

Drastic preventative measures were required and the caring staff of Charles Ford Retirement Communities sacrificed personal concern to assure residents remained safe and virus free. The Pandemic and resulting quarantine protocols continued through 2022; however, vaccines and resulting decrease in virus spread caused situational improvement for our elderly residents, as well as our healthcare staff. At the end of 2022, the virus subsided and the quarantine was lifted.