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Thomas R. Ballentine established the Mary F. Ballentine Home for the aged in 1896 in memory of his deceased wife, Mary. The establishment of a “home for ladies of gentle birth” was her idea, and the home was to be a memorial to her. In 1906 a stately four-story building on Park Avenue in what was then the fashionable Brambleton section of Norfolk was dedicated to the “care and protection” of elderly women.
When Thomas Ballentine died in 1904, he bequeathed the bulk of the large fortune he accumulated in truck framing to the Home. Under the provision of his will, the Home was to be operated by a Board of Trustees who was given full authority the philosophy has always been to maintain a “home” rather than an “institution.”
Around 1950 changing conditions and obsolescence of the Park Avenue building made it necessary to relocate. In 1952 a block was purchased on Granby Street north of Granby High School, and a new home was constructed. The Park Avenue structure is now owned by Norfolk State University and since renovation in 1983 has served as a dormitory for honor students.
The new building was designed for thirty “guests” with six groups of five rooms each. For each group there were appropriate community bath facilities and a washroom for light laundry. In 1960 a separate infirmary wing with twelve beds was added. In June 1985, the Mary F. Ballentine Home for the Aged moved into a new era of service, and it was transferred to The Ballentine Home Corporation. An 18 member Board of Trustees was formed by members of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.
Under the new plan of operation the home was extensively renovated and reoriented toward serving a wider range of older persons, under a management contract with Westminster-Canterbury of Virginia Beach.
Between 1985-87 a complete interior renovation took place. The capacity of the home was increased to 60 residents, 44 single rooms and 8 two-rooms suites all with private baths. Telephones and individual heat and air conditioning controls were included in the renovation.
The new arrangements allowed the admission of men and women, a major change for The Ballentine. Nursing care was made available at Westminster-Canterbury’s Health Care center at current community rate, on a priority basis.
Responding to the needs of current as well as prospective residents, The Ballentine introduced Independent Plus + in 1994. This included three levels of care and a fourth level was added in 1999. These services allow residents to age in place and allow the facility to admit residents in need of some assistance. Also in 1999 a hospice program (outside hospice agencies currently provide the services to the residents as necessary) was established allowing resident to remain in the home until the very end of their lives. The Ballentine presently has Licensed Practical Nurses as well as Certified Nursing Assistants on duty 24 hours a day.
In 1996, The Ballentine celebrated its centennial year. The theme was “Celebrating 100 Years of Living.”
In 1999, the Board of Trustees undertook another tremendous step in the history or The Ballentine. After a number of years of discussion and planning, expansions plans were finalized for remodeling and addition. Construction began in early 2000. Today the Ballentine has a new expanded lobby and dining room in addition to 24 new resident rooms. This brings the total number of rooms and suites to 74.
In 2006 Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay took over ownership of The Ballentine. Both continue to be sponsored by the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches.
It is evident from the above history that The Ballentine has endured for over 100 years because of the visionary Boards that have supported change as society and the needs and desire of older persons have changed. As we continue on in the 21st century, The Ballentine can look forward to a bright future as one of the finest assisted livings in the City of Norfolk.
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