Minnesota Veterans Home facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Minnesota Soldiers' Home Historic District
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Minnehaha Ave., Mississippi River, and Godfrey Pkwy., Minneapolis, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Warren B. Dunnell; Horace W.S. Cleveland |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Art Deco, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000076 |
| Added to NRHP | March 2, 1989 |
The Minnesota Soldiers' Home is a special place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is now known as the Minnesota Veterans Home. This home is located near the beautiful Minnehaha Falls. It was created to care for people who have served in the military, called veterans.
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History of the Veterans Home
After the American Civil War ended, many people felt it was important to care for the soldiers who had fought. The state of Minnesota decided to create a home for these brave veterans. In 1887, the Minnesota Legislature approved building the Soldiers' Home. They wanted it to be a "reward to the brave and deserving."
Construction on the home started in 1888. By 1911, the home had several buildings. These included cottages for men and women, a dining hall, and a place for sick people. At first, the home was meant to be a peaceful place for veterans to rest. It was also a way to show thanks for their service. The grounds were made very beautiful. Medical care was not the main focus until after World War I. Even then, it was a secondary goal.
Changes in Healthcare Focus
In the 1960s, the leaders of the Soldiers' Home realized something important. They saw that the home should focus more on providing health care. This change happened slowly over time. In 1968, the home was able to offer 56 beds for nursing care. It also had 375 beds for boarding care, which was mostly non-medical.
As time went on, medical care became even more important. A new nursing care building was built in Minneapolis in 1972. Another one followed in 1980. In 1978, an old state hospital in Hastings was turned into a home for veterans. This meant more beds were available for veterans needing different types of care.
Reorganizing the Veterans Homes
In 1988, the Minnesota Legislature made another big change. They reorganized how the Veterans Homes were run. A new group called the Veterans Homes Board of Directors was created. Their job was to make sure the homes offered high-quality health care. They also made sure to meet the special needs of veterans. This board includes people from healthcare and veterans' groups.
Veterans Homes Today
Today, there are five Veterans Homes across Minnesota. The main campus in Minneapolis has 346 beds for skilled nursing care. It also has 77 beds for veterans who need a place to live. The Hastings campus has 200 beds for veterans living there.
Other homes include:
- A home in Silver Bay with 89 skilled nursing care beds.
- A home in Luverne with 85 skilled nursing care beds.
- A home in Fergus Falls with 85 skilled nursing care beds.
Community Support for Veterans
Veterans' groups have always been very active in supporting these homes. Groups like the Grand Army of the Republic and the United Spanish War Veterans have helped for many years. They help tell people about the homes and the services they offer. They also speak up for veterans to make sure their needs are met.
These groups also watch over the homes to ensure veterans get good care. They have given many generous donations of money and equipment. These gifts have made life better for the veterans living in the homes.
