The U.S. Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., commonly referred to as the ‘Soldiers’ Home,’ is one of the country’s oldest veterans’ retirement homes and certainly one of the most beautiful. Located on a 273-acre campus in Northwest D.C., the Home’s green pastures and tranquil lakes sit in stark contrast to the developed neighborhoods of the surrounding community. Since the home opened in 1851, the retirement community has been home to thousands of retired elderly and disabled veterans in the Washington area.

The campus itself is steeped in compelling American history. Abraham Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation in what is now called the ‘Lincoln Cottage’ in the northwest of the campus. Along with Lincoln, 3 other U.S. Presidents have called the grounds home when away from the White House, including Chester Arthur, Rutherford B. Hayes, and James Buchanan.

The Soldiers’ Home offers a litany of activities to keep retired veterans busy, including opportunities to garden, take part in arts and culture courses, and participate in physical activities. The Home has its own bowling league, bridge clubs, pinochle tournaments, and even a members-only nine-hole golf course. Other amenities include a ceramics and arts room, two stocked fishing ponds, garden plots, and an auto-hobby shop.

The Home also presents an opportunity for D.C. citizens to participate in meaningful volunteer work and help engage the veterans who have given so much to preserve the freedoms and lifestyle we enjoy today. An organization called The Friends of the Soldiers' Home was established in 2011 when relations between the retirement home and the surrounding neighborhood were deteriorating. The organization is responsible for coordinating volunteer work for the Soldiers’ Home, and in just over two years, membership surpassed 100 individuals. Since it took over volunteer activities on the Soldiers’ Home campus, The Friends of the Soldiers’ Home has hosted over 25 individual volunteer events and activities, and more are expected to take place as the organization grows. 

Staying engaged and connected to the community is immensely important for the well-being of the elderly population. Participation in community events and increased social connectedness has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. The U.S. Armed Forces Retirement Home has done great work in helping the nation’s veterans maintain social activity and improve their quality of life.

For more information: https://www.afrh.gov/afrh/afrhhome.htm