ABOUT US

A history of outstanding service to the District of Columbia

History

As early as 1870, Mr. Corcoran was actively pursuing the establishment of a home "for the support and maintenance of a limited number of gentlewomen, who have been reduced by misfortune." The Louise Home, the outgrowth of Mr. Corcoran's generosity, pursued its mission of service at several sites in Washington until joining with the Lisner Home in 1976. The Louise Home was an icon among the local service community and was greatly admired by Henry Dickson.

In fact, Henry Dickson wished to pay tribute to his late father by opening a similar facility for men. In his will signed in 1906, Mr. Dickson called for "an association, society or institution to be known as the John Dickson Home, in memory of my beloved Father, for many years a resident of Washington and greatly interested in its welfare." Mr. Dickson further mandated that the John Dickson Home be "a free home to indigent men residing or to reside within the District of Columbia." The Home opened in 1913 and ultimately came to join with the Lisner-Louise Home in 1985.

In 1922, Annie Hurt died here in Washington, bequeathing a sum of money to provide for a "Home for the destitute needy blind and shall be named the Henry and Annie Hurt Home for the Blind." Forward thinking and clearly devoted to serving those in need, her will further stated that no more than half of her estate was to be used to purchase the facility with the remaining bequest invested as a "perpetual fund the income from which shall be applied to the maintenance, relief, and benefit of the destitute or needy blind." In 1993, the Hurt Home affiliated with the Lisner-Louise-Dickson Home. Of unique interest is the fact that Laura Lisner had a special place in her heart for the Hurt Home and frequently gifted the Home during her lifetime. As well, she left a sizable bequest to the Home upon her death in 1937.

The youngest among an illustrious history of service providers, the Abraham and Laura Lisner Home for Aged Women began providing service to Washington seniors in 1941. Mr. Lisner opened the Palais Royal, a local department store, in 1877 and in 1888 he married Laura Hartmann, a sales clerk in the store's glove department. Having no children, the couple's fortunate circumstances enabled them to engage in years of philanthropy to the District of Columbia. The largest gift was designated in the last will and testament of Abraham Lisner to establish a home for "aged and indigent women of the District." The Home established by the gracious gifts of the Lisners stands as a tribute to the generosity of these two notable Washingtonians.

It is important to note that the Louise, Dickson, and Hurt Homes have preserved their individual and unique identities and, as such, have retained their own endowments and Boards of Directors. The Abraham and Laura Lisner Home for Aged Women remains forever grateful to our affiliates and for their generous contributions to our shared mission. Their generosity is recognized in a myriad of ways including our combined operational name of the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home.