The Pilgrim Place, a prominent part of the Claremont community, is now celebrating its Centennial Anniversary. This iconic senior center provides a comforting shelter for 320 residents who have dedicated their lives to serving others in the community. To commemorate 100 years of success, Pilgrim Place is holding a Centennial Campaign throughout this year in order to raise funds for their organization.

On Jan. 8, 1915, the original signing of the Articles of Incorporation occurred. This document shows the agreement of primary rules that govern the management of a corporation and allowed the Pilgrim Place to be declared as an official retirement home. The fundraiser’s purpose is to remember what had occurred during the 1900s. Through the years, Pilgrim Place has improved and has made progressive changes. The history and legacy of Pilgrim Place in Claremont is undoubtedly significant, but there still lies a desire to improve the facility for those who have helped others throughout their lives.

“It is very unusual for a stand-alone retirement community to still be supporting itself over 100 years and that’s something I think that really stands out about us [Pilgrim Place],” Executive Associate of Pilgrim Place, Jennifer Tomes said.

The Pilgrim Place grounds are slowly modernizing and they have grown to encompass a 32-acre community containing dozens of facilities including a pool, a museum, and a rehabilitation center. Their improvements started from the humble beginning of being a single building known as the Claremont Missionary Home.

“The thing I believe that sustains us is the backbone that the residents are involved in the running of the community. They donate a lot of their own time and energy into the running of Pilgrim Place,” Tomes said.

As expansion began, new buildings were constructed to provide a more comforting environment for the elderly. The Pilgrim Place’s property cannot be expanded anymore, but the Pilgim Place community hope to improve the facilities within the campus through the help of the Centennial Campaign.

“The improvements that they are making at Pilgrim Place through the campaign doesn’t only benefit those who live there but it benefits the whole community,” sophomore Cameron Booth said.

Pilgrim Place is using last year’s Capital Campaign, another fundraiser, to support this year’s Centennial Campaign. This celebration program will help enhance the services of those who work at the retirement community as well as raise funds for additions. Because Pilgrim Place has been a part of the community for so long, some of the buildings are outdated. In order to update the buildings to current safety levels, a portion of the funds will be invested into upgrading the facilities. With this campaign, Pilgrim Place hopes to pursue their goal of constant progress and development.