OXFORD – The NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford is constructing its third facility, which is scheduled to open this summer. The Home has always had the distinction of having state of the art facilities with the utmost in resident comfort, going back to its first facility in 1897. With its interesting history and fine and enduring reputation, the Oxford Historical Society (OHS) is presenting, “The New York State Veterans’ Home: Past, Present and Future,” to be held on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m..

The Woman’s Relief Corps (WRC), was the auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, formed as a result of the “War of the Rebellion,” better known today as the Civil War. The WRC formed a board, presided by Ellen M. Putnam, to persuade New York State to establish and maintain a home in which a veteran could enter, accompanied by his wife, without separating them in their advanced years. The home also was intended for Veterans’ widows, mothers of soldiers and Army nurses. After reviewing many locations, Oxford was chosen, and the WRC Home opened on April 19, 1897.