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Where a History of Service
Meets Modern Healthcare
In 1867, the first Masonic Home of its kind was established to support widows and orphans of Masons with housing, meals, clothing and health care. Today, Masonic offers daily living and specialized services to people of all ages, regardless of affiliation. Our campuses in Louisville and Northern Kentucky make it easier than ever for those across the state to access our extensive continuum of care.
Timeline
View our history timeline to learn more about how Masonic started and how it has grown into a modern day Continuing Care Retirement Community.
2016
Masonic and FirstLight Home Care form a joint venture to offer nonmedical in-home care.
2018
Meadow Active Lifestyle Community, Grove Pointe Assisted Living Community and Care Clinic open on the Louisville Campus. Meadow is the second Life Care community in the region. FirstLight solely owned by Masonic.
2019
Cresent Grove Memory & Personal Care Community opens. Kosair Charities gifts Sproutlings $1 million for new classrooms.
2020
The Lusk Family Amphitheater was opened for resident activities.
1865
The Civil War leaves hundreds of widows and orphans. Kentucky Masons envision a Masonic Widows and Orphans Home and Infirmary in Louisville.
1867
Charter approved by Kentucky Legislature.
1871
The Home opens on April 7 near downtown Louisville.
1872
From 1872-1884: A school is established for children. Practical industries become part of Home life, teaching residents shoemaking, printing, chair caning, cooking, gardening and canning, while also providing usable commodities.
1901
The Old Mason’s Home, caring for elderly Masons, opens in Shelbyville.
1918
Influx of children orphaned by World War I and the influenza epidemic overcrowds the Home. Plans commence to raise money for a new home on a larger site.
1925
127 acres are acquired between the Louisville city limits and St. Matthews, and the cornerstone laid for construction of what would become a schoolhouse.
1926
The New Home, designed to be a self-sufficient campus, is dedicated and residents move from the old Home.
1928
Noted landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers completed the site’s master plan.
1930
The largest population of children, 632, live at the Louisville home.
1954
The Home’s on-campus school is closed and children living at the Home attend public schools.
1989
The Home’s last orphan leaves, and it focuses on providing senior care, building The Pillars Assisted Care Center.
1993
Masonic Widows and Orphans Home and Old Mason’s Home merge to become Masonic Homes Kentucky.
1997
Six of the cottages that housed widows and orphans are renovated into senior apartments. The dining hall is renovated and renamed The Olmsted, becoming a Louisville landmark for events.
2001
Spring Hill Village Retirement Community in Taylor Mill is established.
2002
The Louisville Campus is named to the National Register of Historic Places.
2004
Sally’s Garden, a memory care neighborhood, opens on the Louisville Campus.
2007
The Pillars Assisted Living Community opens in Shelbyville. Masonic Home Alumni Association presents A Place Called Home, a bronze sculpture honoring Kentucky Masons, on the Louisville Campus.
2009
Club Olmsted and The Bistro open in the lower level of The Olmsted, featuring a card room, art and craft studio, theater and billiard room.
Renovation at Masonic Home Shelbyville yields Rehabilitation Center, new dining venue and short-stay accommodations.
2010
Sam Swope Care Center opens at offering person-centered care in a home environment unlike any other. Rehabilitation and dialysis are also offered.
2011
Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care & Preschool at Kosair for Kids Center opens on the Louisville Campus, the only program in the region serving medically fragile and typical children.
2012
Miralea Active Lifestyle Community, the region’s only Life Care community, opens on the Louisville Campus.
2016
Masonic and FirstLight Home Care form a joint venture to offer nonmedical in-home care.
2018
Meadow Active Lifestyle Community, Grove Pointe Assisted Living Community and Care Clinic open on the Louisville Campus. Meadow is the second Life Care community in the region. FirstLight solely owned by Masonic.
2019
Cresent Grove Memory & Personal Care Community opens. Kosair Charities gifts Sproutlings $1 million for new classrooms.
2020
The Lusk Family Amphitheater was opened for resident activities.
1865
The Civil War leaves hundreds of widows and orphans. Kentucky Masons envision a Masonic Widows and Orphans Home and Infirmary in Louisville.
1867
Charter approved by Kentucky Legislature.
1871
The Home opens on April 7 near downtown Louisville.
1872
From 1872-1884: A school is established for children. Practical industries become part of Home life, teaching residents shoemaking, printing, chair caning, cooking, gardening and canning, while also providing usable commodities.
1901
The Old Mason’s Home, caring for elderly Masons, opens in Shelbyville.
1918
Influx of children orphaned by World War I and the influenza epidemic overcrowds the Home. Plans commence to raise money for a new home on a larger site.
1925
127 acres are acquired between the Louisville city limits and St. Matthews, and the cornerstone laid for construction of what would become a schoolhouse.
1926
The New Home, designed to be a self-sufficient campus, is dedicated and residents move from the old Home.
1928
Noted landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers completed the site’s master plan.
1930
The largest population of children, 632, live at the Louisville home.
1954
The Home’s on-campus school is closed and children living at the Home attend public schools.
1989
The Home’s last orphan leaves, and it focuses on providing senior care, building The Pillars Assisted Care Center.
1993
Masonic Widows and Orphans Home and Old Mason’s Home merge to become Masonic Homes Kentucky.
1997
Six of the cottages that housed widows and orphans are renovated into senior apartments. The dining hall is renovated and renamed The Olmsted, becoming a Louisville landmark for events.
2001
Spring Hill Village Retirement Community in Taylor Mill is established.
2002
The Louisville Campus is named to the National Register of Historic Places.
2004
Sally’s Garden, a memory care neighborhood, opens on the Louisville Campus.
2007
The Pillars Assisted Living Community opens in Shelbyville. Masonic Home Alumni Association presents A Place Called Home, a bronze sculpture honoring Kentucky Masons, on the Louisville Campus.
2009
Club Olmsted and The Bistro open in the lower level of The Olmsted, featuring a card room, art and craft studio, theater and billiard room.
Renovation at Masonic Home Shelbyville yields Rehabilitation Center, new dining venue and short-stay accommodations.
2010
Sam Swope Care Center opens at offering person-centered care in a home environment unlike any other. Rehabilitation and dialysis are also offered.
2011
Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care & Preschool at Kosair for Kids Center opens on the Louisville Campus, the only program in the region serving medically fragile and typical children.
2012
Miralea Active Lifestyle Community, the region’s only Life Care community, opens on the Louisville Campus.
2016
Masonic and FirstLight Home Care form a joint venture to offer nonmedical in-home care.
2018
Meadow Active Lifestyle Community, Grove Pointe Assisted Living Community and Care Clinic open on the Louisville Campus. Meadow is the second Life Care community in the region. FirstLight solely owned by Masonic.
2019
Cresent Grove Memory & Personal Care Community opens. Kosair Charities gifts Sproutlings $1 million for new classrooms.
2020
The Lusk Family Amphitheater was opened for resident activities.