History of Homestead Village
We celebrate October 1986 as the founding of Homestead Village; that is the month the first 57 apartments and the Apostles Center for Care opened. So, in 2026, Homestead Village will celebrate its 40th anniversary! Plans are underway to recognize this momentous occasion throughout 2026! Beginning in October of 2025, we will begin a year of remembrance featuring various aspects of Homestead Village History. This month we turn our attention to the various locations throughout our campus that feature names of generous donors who have supported Homestead Village over the years.
The Names of Homestead Village
By Douglas Motter, President
Names serve a valuable purpose and many of the names on rooms, buildings, streets, and neighborhoods at Homestead Village have deep meaning. The names are a result of generous gifts that have supported Homestead Village’s founding and growth. The tremendous mission and services of Homestead Village could not exist without the generosity of each of these individuals, their families and many other people who have contributed since our founding. It is a privilege to use the following names while remembering the significant gifts they represent. Yet, as time goes by, the history of the names begins to fade. Let’s explore them.
Campus Amenities:
The Bachman Center name is the result of a generous gift from apartment resident, Mary Ellen Bachman. With the relocation of the Parish Resource Center to another location, Homestead purchased and transformed the center in 2016 to serve as the community’s auditorium and event venue.
Mary Ellen Bachman
The Hungerford Room at The Bachman Center is named for Chic and Nancy Hungerford, original Mews residents.
Mr. and Mrs. Hungerford
The Mumma Room is named for Harvey and Melinda Mumma, original Mews residents.
Mr. and Mrs. Mumma
The Stauffer Spring House was named for the Stauffer family, previous owners of Lime Spring Farm. Both Judy Sandt and Margaret (Peggy) Neff were members of the Stauffer family. They along with Judy’s husband, Roger Sandt, provided the naming gift for the Stauffer Spring House.
Peggy Neff and Judy Sandt with Douglas Motter, Christina Gallagher, Marketing, and Terry Shamberger, Development
The Alspach Boardroom is named for Alfred Alspach, one of the key founders of Homestead Village who served as the first chair of the Board of Directors for seventeen years!
Alfred C. Alspach
Burkholder Chapel is named for Donald and Phyllis Burkholder. Donald was another key founder who served on the Board of Directors for over twenty years and served as board chair from 1998-2000. The Burkholders were original residents of The Mews.
Don Burkholder
The Glasford Room was originally named the when this space was a casual dining venue. It was converted first to a fine dining room, then to a multipurpose room. It was named in honor of Donald Glasford, the first President of Homestead Village.
Donald Glasford
Williams Flag Circle is named for Robert Williams and his wife, Louise. Robert was one of the key founders of Homestead Village and former Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.
Bob and Louise Williams
Rader Park is a ministry of Homestead Village’s founder, Church of the Apostles. It is named in honor of Rev. Glen Rader, one of the founding ministers of Church of the Apostles and a key founder of Homestead Village.
Rev. Glenn Rader
The Cottages
The cottage styles are named after historic Lancaster County Towns and Landmarks. The two most meaningful names in the cottages are street names.
The Cottages at Homestead Village
Nevin Circle is named for the man with the dream, Rev. Nevin Schellenberger, who first dreamed of a retirement community ministry for his church. Rev. Schellenberger was a founding minister of Church of the Apostles.
Nevin Shellenberger and Glenn Rader
Westcott Drive is named for Robert Westcott, the first manager of the Homestead Village project for Church of the Apostles.
Robert Westcott
The Mews
The Mews name came as a result of a naming contest! The name was chosen as it has two meanings. Its first is the place in the castle where the King keeps his Falcons. The second meaning refers to the place in the castle where the King allows his favored members of the staff to live in retirement. The name is fun, unique and perfectly fitting.
Kestrel Court & Tiercel Lane are alternative names for falcons, which ties in with the meaning of Mews.
The Mews at Homestead Village
The Farmstead
The Farmstead name was chosen by the original developer of the neighborhood. Homestead Village assumed ownership of the project after it was started. The name fit perfectly with our culture and branding!
Lime Spring Way refers to the name of the original Lime Spring Farm. The historic farm sign hangs in the foyer of the Stauffer Spring House.
A Willow style home at The Farmstead at Homestead Village
The Townstead
The Townstead is the name of our newest apartment building, and carries historical significance in Lancaster County dating back to the 1700s when the county was first being surveyed for James Hamilton. The name will eventually encompass all of the common spaces in our main building, including dining, salon, multipurpose rooms and lobbies.
The Townstead at Homestead Village
Westvue Memory Support Center
Westvue began as a 36-bed personal care home. In 2010, it was transformed into a memory support house on the first floor, Gelhard House. In 2018, the second floor was transformed into Harvest House.
Westvue Groundbreaking
Gelhard House is named for James and Maxine Gelhard, former residents of The Mews and a noted development officer for Franklin & Marshall. Jim and Maxine’s daughter was Homestead Village’s first development staff person and Jim recommended Susan Broomel who served as our development advisor for many years.
James P. Gelhard
Apostles Center for Care
The ACC is named in honor of The Church of the Apostles, the founder of Homestead Village. It was a sixty-bed traditional nursing home prior to 2009, when it was transformed into small houses through the generosity of Homestead Village’s first large capital campaign, “Leading The Way In Comfort And Care.”
Fickes House – Named for the Fickes family at Homestead Village. Over the first twenty years of Homestead Village’s existence, many members of the Fickes family lived at Homestead Village. Kathleen Radcliffe’s maiden name was Fickes. Both of her siblings, their mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins also lived at Homestead Village.
Radcliffe House – Named by Harry and Kathleen Radcliffe. Harry was a former Resident Council President, board member and former Board Chair.
Harry Radcliffe
Young House – Named for Dr. James and Mrs. Mary Lou Young, former residents of The Mews and a former board member.
Mr. and Mrs. Young
Looking to the future:
As we pursue our capital campaign, “Thriving! Together,” it will be exciting to see the new naming opportunities that will become part of the Homestead Village lexicon and history!