Our History

1905-1915

By 1905 the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin had been in existence for 62 years with about 21,250 members. The Scottish Rite was formed in 1863 with about 1,400 members by 1905.

World War I Began
San Francisco Earthquake
Boy Scouts Founded
First Mass Produced Automobile
Sinking Of Titanic

1916-1925

In 1916, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin becomes the full and rightful owner of the Willard Van Brunt property. By 1917, Br. Van Brunt still consults with...

Sinking of Lusitania
Sonar Developed
League of Nations Formed
World Influenza Epidemic
Insulin Found to Treat Diabetes

1926-1935

In 1931, there were over 100 residents at the Home with the Hospital near capacity. The woman who received the $5.00 gold piece in 1900 to begin the Eastern Star fund for the Home passed.

First TV Picture Transmitted
Penicillin Discovered
Great Depression
Planet Pluto Discovered
First Electron Microscope

1936-1945

Additional restroom facilities were added to each floor of Van Brunt Hall in 1937, where there were still two occupants to a room. A severe drought occurred and a sprinkler system was added.

Radar Invented
Social Security Enacted
Helicopter Developed
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
D-Day, Normandy Invasion

1946-1955

The number of residents increased in 1947 to 131 from 101 in just one year. Improvements at the Hospital provided 8 more beds for patients along with additional plumbing and lavatory facilities.

United Nations Formed
First Electric Computer
Korean War Begun
Antihistamine Developed
Discovery of DNA

1956-1965

The Home saw another year of operating under budget in 1956, thanks in part to the Masons who each contributed $2.50 per year to help fund it. Residents received $2.00 per month...

Cuban Missile Crisis
Berlin Wall Built
Alaska Became 49th State
Hawaii Became 50th State
Medicare Enacted

1966-1975

In 1966, 104 residents lived at Van Brunt Hall and 33 permanently resided at the Hospital. Redecorating was completed at Van Brunt, with new furnishings and fresh paint throughout.

First Human Heart Transplant
Martin Luther King Assassinated
First Man on the Moon
Watergate Break in
Mickey Mouse Turns Forty

1976-1985

The Home applied for Medicaid certification in 1977. Several residents would be eligible for SSI (Supplemental Security Income), state, and county medical assistance.

First Personal Computer
Vietnam War Ends
Iran - Iraq War
First Laptop Computer
Compact Disc Invented

1986-1995

In 1986 a request is sent to the Milwaukee School of Architectural Engineering to design a prototype retirement village. By 1987, in anticipation of building a retirement village...

End of Soviet Union
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Reunification of Germany
AOL Founded
The Internet Goes Public

1996-2005

In 1996, our second independent living community, MasonWoods, opens near Shawano, Wisconsin with 32 independent living apartments. VOS adds 39 units and 33 are immediately occupied.

First Flat Screen TV
K-Mart Files for Bankruptcy
Email Becomes Popular
Heat Wave in Europe Kills 35,000
Hurricane Katrina Hits the Gulf

2006-2015

We pioneer a new approach to assisted living in 2006 with the opening of our Catered Living Community, Compass Point. This 75 unit community replaces the Home.

Google Buys YouTube
Pluto Declared Dwarf Planet
Obama Ends Combat in Iraq
Boston Marathon Bombing
Apple iWatch Released

2016-Present

In 2016, management and the Wisconsin Masonic Home Board of Directors launches long-term planning for future strategic initiatives to meet the needs of older adults.

Total Solar Eclipse
Cryptocurrency Boom & Crash
Longest Rail Tunnel Unveiled
NASA’s Juno Orbits Jupiter
1st Woman Nominated US Pres

Timeline