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Nonprofit Group’s Vision Could Bring New Life to 42-acre Dominican Retreat ELKINS PARK — Call David Dobson a futurist. Many had assumed that the Dominican Retreat property would meet the same fate as other 19th century historic mansions in the Philadelphia area. Rather than being plowed under for high density redevelopment, Food for All had a different vision. David Dobson, the executive director of nonprofit Food For All, Inc. saw a means of preserving history and saving precious open space. Now, with an agreement of sale in hand, Dobson is working with banks and reaching out to preservation societies to make this vision a reality. For nearly 75 years the Dominican Sisters conducted retreats and days of reflection in Elkins Park. The house at Elkins Park was at one time the largest retreat site for women in the country. Prior to the Sisters’ use, the Ashbourne Road mansion served as the summer home for Elkins Park’s namesake, multi-millionaire William L. Elkins. William L. Elkins, one of the first pioneers of the oil industry, erected during the 19th century the very first oil refineries in Philadelphia. “Under Mr. Elkins energetic direction and the rapid introduction of improved machinery… here the first gasoline ever manufactured from petroleum was made”1 In addition, the New York Times characterized him as one of the “few men (of his time) to have had the long and unbroken series of successful achievements…”.2 Now, Food For All, Inc. would pick up where the Sisters’ left off. For Dobson, the Horace Trumbauer designed buildings are architectural treasures which must be saved and reused. Situated behind an ornate iron gate and amid a beautiful park setting, Dobson saw countless ways to nourish the public’s mind, body and spirit. A retreat for all Dovetailing off of the estate’s most recent use as a retreat house, for the Dominican Sisters of Elkins Park, Dobson thought it fitting to carry on the Retreat in the same vein. “I’d like to take the retreat concept and expand upon it,” he said. Instead of providing programs primarily of a religious nature, Dobson intends to shift gears to offer a variety of events, with a bent on yoga and spirituality, as well as preventative health and wellness workshops and seminars. With its breathtaking view and lush greens, the Elkins Estate would also be a beautiful backdrop for weddings, banquets, as well as conferences, community events and various support groups. An existing nursing home would be reopened and the buildings would be reutilized. “We owe the Sisters a great debt for how well they’ve kept up the buildings and grounds,” Dobson said of the site’s excellent condition. A prayer for the future Sister Carolyn Krebs, president of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci, said she couldn’t be happier about Dobson’s intentions for the Sisters’ former home. “We’re very delighted with Mr. Dobson’s proposal,” Krebs said. “The two main buildings are going to be preserved and renovated to keep them in good shape. There’s no loss for us in the sense of having Mr. Dobson take over.” Prior to entering into an agreement of sale with Food For All this spring, the Sisters had attempted to sell the property to Westrum Development Company of Fort Washington. That deal fell through at the end of 2007, but may have been a blessing. “He’s the best offer we’ve had,” Krebs said of Dobson. And for Dobson, the sale was an opportunity he just could not pass by. “I have been driving past this amazing property on the way to my office for years. When I saw the sign out front announcing the auction of the contents I immediately contacted the Sisters,” Dobson said. “When I learned of the failed attempts at development, I realized that the time was ripe for us to step in and rescue this amazing treasure of Philadelphia’s Gilded Age and keep it from being turned into condominiums or destroyed as so many others have been.” Well in advance of the property’s eventual transfer from the Sisters, Food For All has made known its dedication to preserving a piece of the past. “We’ve shown our commitment by buying all the historic furniture at auction along with the historic clock from the 1700s that was owned by the Elkins family,” Dobson said. “We’re committed to using the facilities as they are.” The Sisters had already left their home prior to Dobson’s intervention. The gradual departure carried on for several months, with the administrative office being the last to leave in January, Krebs said. Fewer Sisters, coupled with rising energy costs and the expense of maintaining the buildings and grounds led to their departure, which Krebs said had been in discussion since 2005. “Our works are changing as a religious group. We service women mostly,” Krebs said. “Women were no longer available to come on weekends to spend the weekend retreats with us.” But, in Dobson’s vision for an all-encompassing facility, the sky is the limit. “We want to make it as open and as diverse as possible,” he said. “We want to make people feel like they belong.” And with Food For All’s experience with undertakings of this nature, that should be quite easy. In 1992, Food For All, Inc. acquired the property and buildings of the former Dropsie University. It was at one time deemed the foremost Rabbinical college for the study of ancient languages in the country, as well as the home of the second oldest Jewish Congregation of America. After restoring the fire-damaged buildings, Food For All, Inc. opened the doors of the Veteran’s Residence and resource center in 1994. Since 1992, Food For All, Inc. and its subsidiary Southcare Nursing Center Inc., has successfully managed over 50 properties, including personal care facilities and home services for the elderly, Meals on Wheels, as well as retirement communities, single family residences, restaurants and office buildings. About Food For All, Inc. Since 1983, Food For All, a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization, has led by example. Food For All, Inc. has provided oversight, leadership and dedicated
its work to creating successful programs and services that mutually benefit its target population and society by moving individuals to self-sufficiency and independent living. About Elkins Estate The buildings on the Elkins estate were designed by the noted architect Horace Trumbauer, one of the most important architects of the Gilded Age. Trumbauer designed and built homes for some of the wealthiest families in America, as well as major cultural institutions such as the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Grey Towers of Arcadia University. For more information on Trumbauer, visit http://libwww.library.phila.gov/75th/residential.htm. For more information on the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci, visit http://www.catherinedericciop.org/ 1 The New York Times 1903 2 The New York Times circa. 1903 ### David Dobson of Food For Life and Sister Carolyn Krebs are available for interviews. For more information call Dobson at 215-782-6000. Krebs can be reached at 215-635-6027 Ext. 14. |
