Even though there is little known about Nancy Trotter Bates, in whose memory the current Widows Home is dedicated, Mrs. Bates became head of the Dayton Female Association, incorporated in 1844, to provide for the comfort, maintenance and proper education of destitute children. From contributions received from Dayton citizens, a lot on Magnolia Street (where Miami Valley Hospital now stands) was purchased and a little brick building erected. It became known as the Dayton Female Orphans Asylum on Charity Hill. Here orphans were cared for with the help of church and public donations until a legislative act in 1866 turned the care of orphans over to the county. A new orphans home was built on Summit Street.

The little brick house stood empty for a while, but the Civil War had left another destitute group – the widows of Civil War soldiers. With that in mind, Mrs. Bates turned her attention to this new need. To legally acquire the property for the endeavors, the women reorganized as the Women’s Christian Association (forerunner of today’s YWCA) in 1870. Mrs. Bates died a month before the reorganization, and so her daughter, Susan Winters, was asked to become president of the group.

Sometime in 1872, a legislative enactment permitted the transfer of the property with its Endowment Fund to the Women’s Christian Association. The property consisted of a small brick house in dilapidated condition, with some acreage, and a wooden structure nearby.

In 1875, the need for assistance to destitute women became so great that the brick building was repaired, the broken windows replaced, and a pump fitted into the well. Also, a decision was made to tear down the wooden structure and to construct a fence from some of the lumber as a result of this dedication, the new Widows Home opened its doors in 1875 with acknowledgment that any widows or destitute woman of good moral character over sixty years of age who had resided in Dayton five years could become a permanent “inmate” (today’s resident). Thirty-four women were sheltered in 1876 with some staying several months and others housed overnight.

The need became even more apparent for the construction of a new building, as the little brick house was too small. As a result, two friends came forward with $1,000 each for the construction of a new Home with the provision that the committee could secure ten, $1,000 contributions. Mrs. Winters generously gave $5,000 while others added their thousands until the goal was reached.

During the year 1883, a new Victorian style, 3-story brick house with a full basement was built at a cost of $20,000 on the current 2 1/2 acre site donated by a Dayton banker, William P. Huffman. In 1951, some sixty-eight years later, it was decided by the committee of the Home for the safety of the women that two ground floor wings be added to the original building and that the two upper floors of the same building be abandoned for living purposes. The new quarters were constructed to house thirty-one women and to contain a modern infirmary. This was financed by borrowing from the Endowment Fund and private solicitation.

The building was still in the minds of the committee and the need for better facilities to care for more women was urgent. It so happened that in 1957 one unexpected bequest from a very generous businessman, William F. Neff, enabled the committee to proceed with the construction of another dormitory and fully equipped infirmary wing, a new paneled dining room, modern kitchen and solarium.

In 1961, the YWCA severed its ties with the Home. Therefore, the committee elected to become incorporated as the Widows Home of Dayton, which has since operated independently.

In 1972, the brick Victorian house was razed. A $750,000 bequest from former Board member Thelma Dreese made the next renovation possible. It included the administration offices, two apartments, a TV room, parlor, large multipurpose room, beauty parlor and a meditation room. It also included a large porch, the one thing the ladies wanted most. Many beautiful antiques were donated over the years and now furnish the parlor and other locations throughout the Home.

Because of new federal regulations, in 1976, the Widows Home of Dayton became licensed by the Ohio department of health as a Home-for-the-Aging (a combination nursing and rest home beds).

In 1998, special legislation from the State of Ohio added 29 additional nursing home beds to the Home. 1998 also saw the creation of the Widows Home Foundation to provide the vehicle for annual and legacy gift programs and to maintain the endowment fund which provides support for the Home. In 1999, the Home became Medicare and Medicaid certified transforming the Home to a fully certified, skilled nursing facility of 50 beds. Traditionally the Home accepted only widows and destitute women; and in more recent years, needy women sixty-five years or older. In 2000, the renovated and expanded facility became home to male as well as female residents.

The Home’s most recent 25-bed expansion began in December of 2006 and was completed in October of 2007. The first residents/patients were admitted to the Rapid Rehab wing of the Home in January of 2008. Rapid Rehab has allowed the Home to provide additional care for residents of the Dayton area who need in-patient, short-term rehabilitation.