During 1985 and 1986, administrators of the Richmond Memorial Hospital saw the need for a unique type of retirement community—a condominium where residents would own their condos, would live independently, but would have services designed to enhance their lifestyle. In 1986, a Public Offering Statement was developed, architectural drawings became available, and a small trailer was set up on Windmoor Court as a sales office. Advertising and marketing brought few results. Prospective buyers were not impressed with drawings and blueprints, but wanted to see and feel an actual condo.
Several condos were built on Windmoor Court. Now prospective retirees were ready to buy. Early “lookers” like Alma Jenkins, drove through mud as they came by to see what “Summerhill at Stony Point” was all about. Gradually 71 units were built, more residents moved in and Summerhill at Stony Point was well on the way.
From Lou Brand, December 20, 1987
My 1987 summer vacation was spent pioneering with Summerhill at Stony Point, a retirement community on Richmond’s “Southside.” The concept is new: condominium cluster-homes for persons 55 or older. I was one of the first four residents, moving in July when my house was ready and when much building was going on around it. Four women were the pioneers. More residents are coming gradually and the entire project will be in a pioneering stage for about two more months.
I have entered a new phase of retirement: being part of a group of older persons attending an event. We enter or leave a Van, one or two of us using walkers or a wheel chair — moving slowly. There were times I had observed this at a discreet distance. Now I am a part of the group. I am thankful that I can be a participant instead of being house-bound.
And so I rock in my wicker chair beside the flower boxes on the front porch enjoying a sunset, the birds, the butterflies, a grasshopper, a bee on the petunias. A car circles the court, faces peering from the windows, surveying the neat cottages. I can imagine the voices exclaiming, “How comfortable, how attractive, how inviting. And there’s Grandma rocking peacefully, in her old age having it all.”
From my notes, November 15, 1987:
We are approaching the Zero Hour. In December the project will be finished and will be turned over to Health Corporation of Virginia. Rennin Perrin will bow out. I suppose that means that Terry, Ron, Jeff, Robert, the longhaired painter and dozens more workers will no longer be crossing the horizon. I shall miss these friends, both white and black. The bellowing, belching, spitting mechanical monsters will have vanished like the dinosaurs of old. All will be still. We shall miss the camaraderie, but not the noise, the excitement but not the dust, the anticipation but not the mud holes. Taking the places of the workers we will have new residents moving in, new grass and trees trying to catch up with the lovely old landscape of Stony Point and Bon Air, lights in all the windows — a new community:
Thanksgiving Dinner, 1988
Front: Marian Gerrich, Emily Walker, Rose Demauri
Kneeling: Joe Gellespie; Pat Robertson
Back Row: Lou Brand, Eleanor Gambill, Marian Dolliver, Verna Hanmer, Hanah Turboville, Rosemary Davis, Jean Harris, Valerie Harris, Alma Jenkins, Cythia Beddell, Ethel Johnson, Louise Sheehan
Staff: Manager: Pat Robertson
Administrative Assistant: Valerie Harris
Caterer: Cynthia Beddell Nurse: Rosemary Davis
In 1995, the concept had become so popular that an additional 17 units were considered on Lake Terrace Court. By that time, Todd Acker was the manager. He asked residents what they would like to have in a new condo. The answer was, “More storage!” In designing these 17 new condos, their recommendation was honored. Summerhill now consists of 88 units.
In 1998 Richmond Memorial Hospital was purchased by Bon Secours of Richmond. Summerhill was part of the total package.
