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Successful community spirit

By Tina Andrade - Guest Columnist/director of development for Home Health & Hospice Care | Sep 21, 2018

Home Health & Hospice Care, founded in 1883 in Nashua, recently held a month-long Designer Showhouse in the historic 1906 Frank. E. Anderson House at 90 Concord St. The project was a fundraiser to benefit the Community Hospice House, a beloved ten suite facility for end of life care. Planning began in the Autumn of 2017, when the new owners of the property, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts generously agreed to lend HHHC this historic mansion for the Showhouse.

The Anderson House, now renamed Mercy Hall by the College, had served many purposes over the years as it sat in stately majesty on Nashua’s most illustrious street. It was built by a wealthy shoe baron for his new bride and no expense was spared. Their home became a center of art, culture and hospitality. Those walking by late on a warm summer night could hear the strains of orchestra music as guests danced in the third floor ballroom.

When Frank Anderson passed on and his wife moved back to Boston, Francis Murphy, the 74th Governor of NH purchased both this property and the house next door. As the years went on several private families lived in the mansion until it was sold in the 40s to the Sisters of Mercy and then became Mount Saint Mary Seminary.

The Designer Showhouse had over 2,000 visitors, many of whom were Alumni of the Mount! The “Mounties” were thrilled to be back in their school and shared their memories. We learned that in the early days of the school, when girls boarded there, wealthy families from South America sent their daughters to learn English and have a strict upbringing by the nuns. When prom time came, packages from Paris would arrive with fashionable prom dresses sent by doting parents!

As the Anderson House moved into its second century, it began to suffer from the effects of time. Purchased by the College three years ago, ceilings were peeling, fabric wall panels were turning to dust, bushes were overgrown and a general air of disuse stood out among the well-tended homes of neighbors. A fortuitous meeting with Dr. William Fahey, the President of Thomas More was the first of many happy connections that would enable HHHC to bring this historic property back to life.

The stunning work donated to the property, by designers and craftsmen, both inside and out, was priceless. One hundred and fifteen volunteers in shifts served as a welcoming presence during Showhouse hours and scores of businesses contributed sponsorships, goods to improve the rooms, and advertisements in the program book. Neighbors couldn’t have been more accommodating or supportive of our efforts. The Telegraph was a critical element in the success of the project, covering the Showhouse multiple times, driving visitation, and continuing to demonstrate their genuine commitment to our Community.

What began as a simple hope to raise funds to care for patients without resources at the Community Hospice House turned into a joint effort by hundreds of good people to let Nashua’s most precious jewel shine once again. For in truth property like this is never really owned but rather stewarded by people with a love of community and a respect for history. We are deeply grateful.

Tina Andrade is director of development for Home Health & Hospice Care.

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