History: The Sunnyside Story

The Beginning, 1912-1929

Sunnyside Home was chartered in Danville, Virginia, in 1912. A group of concerned Presbyterians saw a need to provide housing for aging ladies. The "Home" was organized under the auspices of the Synod of Virginia. One of the first orders of business was to call upon the churches of the Synod for funds to establish the home. Mr. C. W. Maxwell was authorized to use as much of those funds as necessary to visit prospective cities to find a suitable location for the "Home." Funds were slow in coming but the board remained dedicated to the cause. It was noted in the minutes of October 1914 that $90.00 was disbursed and used to aid a needy widow.

Finally, in September of 1920, a communication was read from Mrs. Alice Burton pledging $2000 toward the building of a home. In 1921 Mr. John T. Watson donated a lot on Virginia Avenue in Danville as a site for the location of the home. Mr. Watson was directed by the board to order lumber and to arrange to secure a loan to build the "home." In August 1921 it was moved and carried to appeal to the Women's Auxiliary of the Synod to finance and equip the building. In 1923 Mr. Watson donated a lot joining the property so the home might be expanded.

Original Sunnyside Home (Refurbished), 1921-1929

A charter was obtained in January 1912 to incorporate Sunnyside Home. In 1921, the first Sunnyside Home opened in Danville, Virginia.

In January 1929, the board met and formally acknowledged the receipt, by bequest, of Mrs. Alice Burton's lovely Victorian Home complete with furnishings and $10,000 to perpetuate the Sunnyside Home. Later that year, authorization was given to make an addition to the "Alice Burton Home" and to sell the Virginia Avenue property.

Sunnyside Home Relocates, 1929-1955

In the late 1920's, Mrs. Alice Burton of Danville bequeathed her Victorian home to Sunnyside's ministry. Dedicated in September 1929, "Alice Burton Hall" became the second Sunnyside Home and served as Sunnyside until the move to Harrisonburg in 1955.

Sunnyside Moves to Harrisonburg, 1955

The need for larger, more modern accommodations led to the Harrisonburg location. Through a successful capital campaign, construction began February 3, 1954, on a six-acre site offered by the Massanetta Springs Bible Conference. On October 18, 1955, the first twenty guests arrived from Danville to the newly named Sunnyside Presbyterian Home.