St. Mark's Home for Women opened its doors in the early 1870's for the benefit of retired women. The mansion was purchased in 1870 and donated to the Episcopal diocese expressly for this purpose by Allen Lambard (Martha Moore Ballard's grandson) and Sibyl Angier Franham Lambard. The Lambards were wealthy Augusta residents who lived in various parts of the country, but returned to Mr. Lambard's hometown in 1855. The residents of St. Mark's Home have always had the privacy of their own rooms, but also services such as prepared meals, security, common space, and planned activities. The community is open to women of all faiths, and the fees vary according to the resident's income and the room size. The building, constructed in 1805 for Dr. Issacher Snell, was modified and enlarged significantly from the original to accommodate more residents when it became the home for women. Of particular note is the small rose window on the Winthrop Street side of the building, which is from the original St. Mark's Church (standing until 1884). The home operates today as it was originally intended - a home for retired women of all faiths who live in a community that offers a blend of independent and communal living. It was one of the first such residences for women in the country.

 

Site #31.1 Sources:

	Augusta Conservation Commission, Kennebec Historical Society, and Augusta Recreation Department. –Historical Walking Tour of Augusta Maine" (pamphlet), no date.
	Douin, Anthony. Interview and conversation with Phyllis vonHerrlich, 18 October 2001, Augusta, Maine.
	Faith Communities of Augusta, Maine - Past and Present. A City Bicentennial Project under the auspices of the Augusta Clergy Association, 1997.