The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

was secured few miles from the city.
 A more beautiful location would not be easy to find The lot contains 236 acres, and is on an excellent highway. Part of the tract is under cultivation, and the buildings of the home are set in a cleared space surrounded by a beautiful grove.
 They were begun in 1911, when, during the annual grand lodge meeting in De- cember of that year, the corner stone of the main building was laid more impressive scene than that has rarely been witnessed in the state.
 Buildings
 The buildings were completed year and a half later, and the home has been open for two years. The administration building stands in the middle, with a two-story residence on either side. A short distance away is the hospital, which has been in use less than year. This Is the gift of. the w men of the Eastern Star. It is most attractive building set among the trees, with lovely views from the windows and with the purest of fresh air blowing in. Its every ap- pointment is perfect and 1t is equipped with every appliance and convenience, There are several wards and private rooms. a contag zion ward which can be entered from the outside without risk of infecting any other part of the hos pital, large sun parlor, an operating room that is completely equipped, diet kitchen, and nurses apartments.
 A staff of Montgomery doctors who are Masons give their services at the home. The hospital is open to any one at the home and to Masons who are finan- cially unable to bear the expense of ill., ness or an operation.
 The administration building Is a hand- some four-story building containing par lors. offices, dining room, kitchen, stor age rooms, school rooms, auditorium, and dormitories for all the children. The fur nishings here are handsome. Many of them are gifts from lodges or from indi- viduals. One room is furnished in honor of Mrs. Elizabeth Salter, and another by the Blachs in memory of their father.
 The library is open to the children and the older people, and contains an excel lent and varied collection of books se- lected by Mrs. John H. Phillips and Mrs. George B. Mccormick has sent books for the children. The room was furnished by King Solomon lodge.
 The office was furnished by Birming ham Temple lodge.
 The dining room, on the ground floor, is an attractive room in which the idea of making the place a home rather than an institution Is evident. Instead Of long narrow tables where the people sit to- gether there are smaller tables seating six or eight. and making it possible for members of family or for small group of people who are especially con genial to be together. In several in- stances. there are three or four children from the same family, with their mother cases where the father has been killed in an accident or has died without being able to make provision for his family. AS far as possible the home gives these families the opportunity to keep their family life.
 DormitOries
 Two floors of this building are devoted to dormitories for the children. Here again Is expressed the interest of Ma sons in different places. One dormitory was furnished by MT. and Mrs. William Aldrich of Aldrich, another by MT. J. B. Musgrove Of Jasper, one by pr. and Mrs. F. D. Dadvidson of Birmingham, and one by the Mobile lodge. In these dormitories each child has single iron bed and his own locker. Bath rooms are adjoining each. and everything about the dormi- tories is immediately clean. Each is in charge of matron who keeps everything in order One of these matrons Is one Of the older girls. and her dormitory is her pride. She takes the best of care of all the furnishings and keeps excellen, order.
 AAo dSooAipiy Hdli IS large ana well 1ur- nished. It is suitable for both auditorium and chapel. Sunday school is conducted in the hall. and ministers from Mont gomery and other places conduct re- ligious services.
 This building, as well as the others ia complete in its construction. Hollow tile concrete is used. and tiled roofing cop- per gutters, screens, freproof stairways. fire escapes and fire hose in the build ings contribute toward making the build ings as safe ard as durable as possible.
 There are two two-story residences for the men and women. These are pretty white cottages, with large sitting rooms, where open fires burn in the winter. At present there are pots of flowers on the front porches, plants that have been brought by some who make their homes here. There is a bathroom for every two bedrooms, and there is everything that would contribute to the comfort and pleasure of the people.
 In building one of these cotta1es the memory of two men who were loyal Ma sons and devoted personal friends is per- petuated. During the illneus of David T. Fox. and shortly before his death. he