Evelyn House was founded in 1938, on a leased property in Richmond, as a small country holiday home known as Oak Cottage. Little did those ladies imagine that their idea of a small country holiday home would one day develop into the large retirement home, which is Evelyn House today.

Furnished and equipped almost entirely by the Woman’s Institutes, the first cottage was formally opened by Mrs Gordon Watson, wife of the Administrator of Natal on 15 December 1939.

With its lovely gardens, grounds and the restful atmosphere of a country village, it soon became popular and during its first year, gave hospitality to at least 150 guests.

After the lease had been extended for a year, the Federation of Women’s Institutes (Federation) decided to purchase and so, acquired its first property in 1941. From 1941 to 1943, during the war years, it was used as a Convalescent Home, for patients from Oribi Military Hospital.

In 1943 fate took a hand. A larger house, standing on 3 acres of ground higher up in the village came on the market. Federation hesitated to incur debt to acquire the property, but Dr Mann, who oversaw the Oribi Hospital, very generously made a donation in memory of his wife and mother, and in appreciation for the benefits his patients had received at Oak Cottage.

The new property was named “Evelyn House” in honour of Mrs Evelyn Dent, the first Federation Secretary and the 1938 President. It was opened on 27 October 1943 by Dr N.F. Mann. To equip the larger house each Woman’s Institute group was given one room to furnish, and they responded generously.

Shortly after this the Federation was able to rent the land in front of Evelyn House, thereby giving access to Shepstone Street. In 1949 Congress members decided to buy it as a “Coming of Age” gift for the Federation.

It became evident that the house needed to be enlarged. The Institutes raised funds to build the Annex, so providing six more rooms and two bathrooms, opened by Mrs Shepstone, wife of the Administrator on 12 April 1948.

In 1951 the kitchen was rebuilt and in 1953 a Lecture-cum-Recreation Room was built under the Veranda, where for some time Adult Education courses were held.

By 1959 the demand for the use of Evelyn House, as a country holiday home had fallen off, and its upkeep was becoming a problem. Rather than sell the house, it was decided to take permanent guests and almost overnight, several elderly ladies took up residence, in what is now known as Evelyn House Retirement Home.

The famous Hobbies Club was started in 1975 by some of the members of Richmond and has through its efforts raised enormous sums of money over the years, nearly all of which have been used for improvements and additions to Evelyn House. Over the years members have continued raising funds for various projects making life just a bit easier for the residents.

During the latter part of 1976, Evelyn House was connected to the Richmond Sewerage System, a costly item, but a big asset. In this year too, the district Surgeon agreed to hold weekly clinics at the Home, a helpful arrangement, much appreciated by the ladies.

Over the years, numerous additional facilities have been added to Evelyn House through generous donations and bequests. The latest being the construction of a state-of-the-art Care Centre facility with funds left to us by the late Dawn Elaine Jacklin.

Today, Evelyn House is a Non-Profit Organization, owned by the Federation of Woman’s Institutes which has a Public Benefit Organization status in Richmond, KZN. It is a non-racial Old Age Home, caring for 45 residents with an average age of 83 years, of whom at least half are on SASSA grants, with families having to subsidize their account. Our facilities are very well priced in the market. We receive no financial assistance from the Government.