History of Peabody Home      
 
 In 1938 the facility now known as the Peabody Home came into being. Bequests of local residents Anna G. Blodget, Mary and Clara Rowell and Eliza T. Shepard included money and property to be used to "establish a home for the aged in Franklin."      
 
 In September 1940, the trustees voted to purchase the Goodwin and Cate properties located just east of the Unitarian Church on what was known as "Peabody Place. " The Cate property was known as the "Peabody Homestead."      
 
 In 1941, the Goodwin house was moved directly behind the Unitarian Church facing east, where it still stands today. The Cate house was also moved to the back and west to the Goodwin house, but this building no longer remains.     
 
  In October 1941, mansion construction began on what is now our main building. Open house was held on October 24, 1942 and the home was officially open to care for the aged of Franklin. (It is of interest to note that for the year 1944 the total operating cost of the Home was $8,500.00 and the cost of caring for guests at that time was $20.00 per week!)     
 
  Residents living here kept referring to the home as "Peabody Home" since it was located on the old Peabody Homestead. In February 1959, it was voted to officially change the name to Peabody Home and retain the name of "Franklin Home for the Aged" only for legal purposes.   
 
    In February 1963, an eight-room addition was built behind the original building and became known as "The Annex." In 1972, with many of the residents requiring more care, it was voted to convert Peabody Home from just a retirement home to be licensed to provide full nursing care.   
 
    In 1976, ten rooms were added to the 1st floor of the Annex to provide Independent Living retirement space and then, in 1982, the Goodwin house was gutted and rebuilt to create six more Independent Living units. This building is now known as "The Cottage" and currently houses all of Peabody Home's Independent Living residents. In 1997 the rooms on the 1st floor of the Annex became licensed for Supportive Residential care and the area became Peabody Home's Assisted Living unit.    
 
   In 2001 another building addition was completed. The "River View Room" was constructed off of the Annex. This area houses a new wheel chair ramp and main entrance, nurses station, handicap bath/shower, a resident dining/living area great room, and administrative offices. Windows look out towards the Winnipesaukee River, which flows right beyond our back yard. The new patio out back will be enjoyed three seasons each year. Beyond the view of the river our residents can see and enjoy Franklin's famous O'Dell Park.    
 
   Peabody Home is a very special retirement community. We are small and family oriented. Because we offer three different levels of care (Independent, Assisted Living & Nursing) residents do not need to switch facilities as their health care needs change.      Peabody Home, as in the past, remains open to all people. We are private-pay, not-for-profit and have continuously offered competitive Independent Living and Assisted Living rates. Our nursing rates are among the lowest in the state.