Nomination for Smith, Dr. Robert, House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 1024-0018 received SEP 30 1985 See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Smith, Dr. Robert, House and or common 2. Location street & number - not for publication city, town -vicinity of state OH . county - public - unoccupied - agriculture X museum X building(s) X private - commercial - park work in progress _ entertainment . religious _ in process X yes: restricted - government . scientific - yes: unrestricted _ industrial - transportation - military . other: 4. Owner of Property OH 44302 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. 72 S. High Street has this property been determined eligible? - yes 039 153 both Accessible code Category object structure educational Status district Ownership NONE (3-82) Summit historic site Akron local date 1.

Name Inventory-Nomination Form private residence date entered being considered title National Register of Historic Places Present Use 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Public Acquisition Type all entries-complete applicable sections Summit County Courthouse 3. Classification For NPS use only NPS Form 10-900 Founders Foundation c/o David Snider United States Department of the Interior 855 Ardmore Avenue depository for survey records National Park Service - yes _ federal 7. Description - excellent X unaltered X original site X good -moved - fair the northwestern part of Akron. Constructed on a brick foundation, it is here from 1915 to 1950. Condition Check one allows access to the basement through double wooden doors.A concrete block retaining wall supports the earth here as well as around the remainder of the Describe the present and original (if known)physical appearance

Description of the property

covered with horizontal lapped wood siding and has a gable roof with asphalt The first floor interior includes a dining room with a coffered wood beam shingles.The roof has two dormers in the front elevation and a shed-type wall The house remains much as it did when Dr. Robert Smith and his wife Ann lived bathroom are located. located on a corner lot in an early 2oth century residential subdivision in lot. brick pillars is on the facade, and it has a wooden railing with decorative a shed roof is on the center of the first floor level on the side elevation.

A small enclosed porch is at the rear.A narrow cut in the side of the lot The Smith House was built about 1915 and is a 2 1/2 story frame residence deteriorated cut-outs.The windows have 4/1 double-hung sash.A small projecting bay with staircase leads from the living room to the upper levels where bedrooms and dormer at the rear.A full length porch with a low gable that is supported on -ruins Areas of Significance - Check and justify below -- archeology-prehistoric -._ community planning : landscape architecture religion - science - sculpture X social/ _ music X1900 ..industry - politics/government .transportation _ invention the late 1920s he decided to specialize as a Proctologist and Rectal Surgeon stock-sell ing deal fell through.

Near despair and tempted to return to drink, Movement, a spiritual group interested in revitalizing religion; and this was date on which the movement was born. 1500-1599 1600-1699 1400-1499 1800-1899 communications architecture archeology-historic Period theater humanitarian prehistoric military Specific dates law practitioner with an office in the Second National Bank in downtown Akron.In Smith and Wilson then began formal development of a treatment program.Group -conservation education 8.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance 1700-1799 .commerce Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia.He joined the staff of the St. friendship of the two fostered one of the main principles of AA-the buddy AA was founded as a result of the meeting and friendship of Dr.Smith and Bill The Dr.Robert H. Smith House is significant under criterion B for its Wilson came and brought his new friend home where on June 10,1935,Smith and received some additional training at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and the meeting at Atlantic City and blacked out after drinking for three days. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) Sieberling (whose house is now the Gate House at Stan Hywet-NR-1975, alcoholics in his home and at City Hospital.In 1939,St.Thomas Hospital in -agriculture moved into the new house on Ardmore.He first worked as a general .literature NHL-1981). Mrs. Sieberling was active in a group known as the Oxford late 1930s and 1940s.The house was Smith's house from 1915 until his death Robert Holbrook Smith was born in Vermont in 1879 and was graduated from alcoholism.Mrs.Sieberling was also aware of Dr.Smith's battle with he began to seek help and ended up at the home of Henrietta - other(specify) ---economics --engineering In 1950. - exploration/settlement -philosophy but quit his job in 1905 to enter Pre-Med School at the University of Thomas Hospital in 1934 and remalned with them until his retirement in 1949.

In May 1935 Wilson, a recovering alcoholic, was in Akron when a meetings were held in Smith's House and in another Akron home, but were moved alcoholism and invited him to her house the evening of May 12 to meet Wilson. 1935 art to a school building when the membership grew too large.He also treated The two men ended up becoming fast friends after sharing their mutual problem and discussing ways that they could work together to help others.The City Hospital for two years.Smith wed Anne Ripley from Chicago in 1915 and Dartmouth College in 1902.He worked as a salesman in Montreal and Boston, organization was established in 1935 through the efforts of Dr.Robert Smith, 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Quadrangle scale 1:24000 L415 419 31410 - state 11. Form Prepared By date 8/20/85 1985 Velma Avenue street & number 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification State Historic Preservation Officer signature I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Chief of Registration date code Easting Northing county Zone Columbus, local Attest: Verbal boundary description and justification name/title List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries Quadrangle name Akron West David Snider and David Simmons UTM References city or town according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

Keeper of the National Register The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated GPO 911-399 minus the northern 40 feet. Lnational For NPs use only Musanna, Russ. "Getting Soker." Akron Beacon Journal, June 9, 1985. Portage Trail Review, Vol. 38, No. 6 (June 1985). "Dr. Bob, The A.A. Grapevine, January 1951.

Ohio Historic Preservation Office As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 L4/ 513/91010 telephone 614-466-1500 43211 organization Acreage of nominated property less than one The nominated property consists of Lot 44 of the Bloomfield Alotment of the City of Akron, Robert Smith House, Akron, Summit County, Ohio Item number 8 Page 2 also saw the publication of the book by Smith, Wilson and an Akron Beacon museum. Dr.

Smith's daughter, Suzanne Windows, still Ilves in Akron and is received (3-82) Inventory-Nomination Form The house has recently been purchased by a non-profit organization known as Continuation sheet SIGNIFICANCE Akron established the first alcoholics ward in cooperation with Smith.1939 National Register of Historic Places Alcoholics Anonymous.It outlined the 12 steps to sobriety which have become Journal reporter which eventually gave the organization its name entitled United States Department of the Interior NPS Form 10-900-a date entered National Park Service "Dr.Bob" and "Bill W." in keeping with the organization's anonymity Involved In this group. OMB No. 1024-0018 the Founders Foundation formed specifically to interpret the house as a the hallmark of AA treatment.After this Smith and Wilson became known as CORNER POSTS BRICK BY RAy WINDOwS FoR DR Bob's HOMe 855 AROMORE AVF.

SINK FRONT DOOR 2:6 x 7:0 Éx6" BEAM CEOLING DRAWN FOR FOUNDERS FOUNDATION: CAps 19°x 4* Se. 18 FlooR PLAN STAIRS KITCHEN DRAWN FOR FOUNDERS FOUNDATION BY RAY WINDOWS FoR DR. Bob's HOME 855 ARDMORE AVE. 2ND FLOOR PLAN AKRON, OHIO ALL PINE FLOORS FRONT PORCH ROOE BACK PORtH FRONT BED ROOH DRAWN TOR FOUNDERS FOUNDATION - By RAY WINDONS 3RD FLOOR PLAN AKRON, OHIO ALL PINE FLOORS 48°KNEE WALL CRAWL SPACE WaRm Are FuRNS DRAWN FOR FOUNDERS FOUNDATION By RAY WINDONS BASEMENT FLOOR FLAN: LAUNDRY ROGM 12°x/6" BSMT. 2LT SASH FOR DR. Bob's HOME B5S ARONORE AVE. ALL CONCRETE FLOORS 142" Cug :: 1985 WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Smith, Dr. Robert, House Fed. Reg.

Date:2/3/82 _ REJECT - Federal Agency: _ -appeal - sample Lrequest Recom./Criteria - Date _ see continuation sheet _ technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys 7. Description Jexcellent - unaltered L original site B ruins Category unexposed Ownership moved RETURN deteriorated completeness resubmission Reviewer Discipline Status Summit County SEP,301985 Accessible boundary selection 85003411 Condition Action: clarity Substantive Review: Working No. Nomination returned for: EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Reviewer's comments: NR decision Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance nomination by person or local government summary paragraph owner objection Present Use Has this property been determined eligible?

Nattonal Register Check one alterations/integrity NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Public Acquisition yes ("R" June 1984) fair good 10-31-85 J summary paragraph clarity Other 9. Major Bibliographical References 11. Form Prepared By State Historic Preservation Officer signature - Date - _ Phone: - Builder/Architect Signed completeness context applicable criteria relating significance to the resource national Maps title UTM References Photographs Specific dates The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: justification of areas checked 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Verbal boundary description and justification Quadrangle name Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to 8. Significance justification of exception Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet 10.

Geographical Data Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Acreage of nominated property relationship of integrity to significance _local _state Areas of Significance-Check and justify below I Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2 855 Ardmore Ave., Akron, Sum., Oh. 3 Ken Dawson 5 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, Ch. Founders Foundation 44685 House Exterior Fronr North 1#1 of 23 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum-, Oh. July '85 Founders Foundation Ken Dawson Front, Side Angle View 44685 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, Oh 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. 3. Ken Dawson 6.Angle Side, Front #3 of 23 Founders Foundation Oh.,44685 July, 5. 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, Oh Angle Side, rear #4 Of 23 Founders Foundation 44685 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. Ken Dawson Dr.

Bob Smith's Home -- 855 Ardmore Ave., Akron, Sum. #5 of 23 Founders Foundation Ken Dawson Angle Side, front July '85 Oh. 44685 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, 855 Dye Bob Smith's Home -- 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., On. Oh. 44685 6. Driveway and Garage 7. #6 of 23 Founders Foundation Ken Dawson 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, July '85 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. 3. Ken Dawson 5. 2530 Killian Rd., 6. Rear of Kitchen 7. #7 of 23 Founders Foundation Uniontown, Oh. 44685 4. July '85 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home-- Killian Rd., 7. #8 of 23 Founders Foundation Ken Dawson Dining Room 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Uniontown, Oh 44685 July '85 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. 3. Ken Dawson July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd., 6. Dining Room 7. #9 of 23 Founders Foundation Uniontown, Oh. 44685 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh- 3.

Ken Dawson July '85 Uniontown, Oh. 44685 6. Front Kitchen & dining room S Founders Foundation 7. #10 of 23 2530 Killian Rd., EDUCTION 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 3. Ken Dawson July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd., Founders Foundation 6.living room Uniontowm, 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. Oh 44685 #11 of 23 UCTION HORTGA 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. 4. July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd. Uniontown, On. 44685 6. Living Room 7. #12 of 23 Ken Dawson Founders Foundation 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., On. July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, Oh. 44685 6. Living Room 7. #13 Of 23 Founders Foundation 3. Ken Dawson 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., 3. Ken Dawson 4. July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd. Uniontown, Ohio 44685 7. $14 of 23 6. Living Room from Stairs Founders Foundation 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh.

July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd., 7. #15 of 23 Founders Foundation Bathroom Ken Dawson Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. July '85 7. #16 of 23 Bathroom Founders Foundation Ken Dawson Uniontown, Oh 44685 2530 Killian Rd., 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd., 6. Bedroom #1 7. #17 of 23 Founders Foundation Ken Dawson Uniontown, Oh. l4685 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 3. Ken Dawson July '85 Uniontown, Oh. 44685 7- #18 of 23 Founders Foundation 2530 Killian Rd., 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. Bedroom 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- July '85 6. Upstairs Hallway Founders Foundation Killian Rd., Uniontown, Oh. 44685 Ken Dawson 7. #19 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. July '85 7. #20 of 23 Ken Dawson Founders Foundation 6. Bedroom $3 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, Oh. 44685 1. Dr.

Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. #21 of 23 Attic Ken Dawson Founders Foundation Uniontown, Oh. 44685 2530 Killian Rd., CALL 800-321-122 FAMOUS TELEPHONE SUPPLY 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh- 5. 2530 Killian Rd., 7. #22 of 23 Founders Foundation Ken Dawson Attic July '85 1. Dr. Bob Smith's Home -- 2. 855 Ardmore, Akron, Sum., Oh. 3. Ken Dawson July '85 5. 2530 Killian Rd., Uniontown, Oh 7. #23 of 23 Founders Foundation Attic 44585 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AKRON WEST QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AKRON WEST, OHIO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) ARDMORE N4100W8130/7.5 OHIO-SUMMIT CO. RECEIVED JUL - 8 1985 THOMAS C. SAWYER July 3, 1985 Dr. W. Ray Luce Columbus, OH 43711 Re: Nomination of 855 Ardmore to Dear Dr.

Luce: National Register of Historic Places, please be advised that the City City of Akron, Ohio Mayor Sincerely, TCS/mm mentation and recording of this important structure which contributed of Akron supports this nomination. Ohio Historic Preservation Office property points out once again the important contribution that Akron National Register of Historic Places has made both economically and socially to our nation's development. In accord with your review of the nomination of 855 Ardmore to the 1985 Velma Avenue The City of Akron is pleased to acknowledge and concur in the docu- Akron, Ohio 44309 July 15, 1985 Mr. David Simmons Columbus, Ohio 43211 Re: 855 Ardmore Ave. Akron, Ohio Dear Mr. Simmons, We are sole owners of this property, where Dr.

Bob Smith, a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, lived for approximately Kay Stewart, Chairperson Founders Foundation Yours very truly, Ohio Historic Preservation Office We are forwarding other required materials under separate cover, Please consider this our request to expedite the nomination of above property to the National Register of Historic Places. KS/ds meeting. 30 years. so that this nomination may be considered at your September 6 1985 Valma Ave. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE TIME OF CALL FROM (Name) Call Betsy FHR-8-2 TELEPHONE REPORT CALL June 1978 Cuebertson 225-5231 Or Robt Snith NAME OF PERSON PLACING/RECEIVING CALL 2. ADDRESS (Tel. No. It needed) DATE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE TIME OF CALL 2. ADDRESS (Tel. No.

if needed) DATE CALL TELEPHONE REPORT June 1978 SUBJECT, PROJECT NO.. ETC. 4. DETAILS OF DISCUSSION 10/31/55 TITLE FHR-8-2: OFFICE Alcoholics Anonymous Founded In Akron 50Years Ago This Month by Darlene Schadle They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They are male and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, noted Akron surgeon threatened female. They are children, parents, brothers, and sisters, and members of Alcoholics Anonymous, founded in Akron fifty over coffee with Wilson compelled him to stay into the night. They discussed their shared problem and ways they might help Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA as it is often called, has always people, as programs often do. a manner of speaking, AA was founded.

With original Oxford May 11, 1935 had been a rough day for New York stockbroker the group broke with the Oxford Movement in 1939 and began Wilson found himself in the lobby of Akron's Mayflower Hotel, where he was staying, with only $10 - not enough to get home The treatment of alcoholism on a regular basis was not com- to New York, but ample to get drunk. But Wilson hadn't touched alcohol since he'd joined the Oxford Group in New at City Hospital, and in his own home on Ardmore Avenue (in York, some six months ago. Sister Mary Ignatia at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron. By the lobby, his eyes stopped at the name of St. Paul's Episcopal early 1940's, St. Thomas Hospital was admitting drunks and had Church; he decided to call and see if they had an Oxford Group a special ward for their treatment; the days of admitting drunks chapter.

The Oxford Group, a religious movement within the Episcopal Church, had been helpful to several alcoholics like The Reverend Walter Tunks, Rector at St. Paul's gave him a list of people to call. One of these people led him to Henrietta Seiberling, who had become involved in the local Oxford Group and was trying to help a local physician with a serious drinking problem. After a conversation with her, Wilson was invited to dinner the following night where he would meet another man in a similar predicament. The Gate Lodge at Stan Hywet. In the beginning, the organization was not known Alcoholics Anonymous. The name evolved from the publica- tion of a small book in 1939 by Smith, Wilson, and Beacon Jour- nal writer Jim Scott; its title was Alcoholics Anonymous.

The memberships' anonymity has, and still does, give only first no dues and the primary requirement for membership is a desire Now, fifty years after "Dr. Bob" Smith and Bill Wilson met in Akron over coffee at the Seiberling's home, there are over 58,000 chapters of AA throughout the world. It has become a model for numerous self-help organizations, and now encom- passes groups such as Al-Anon and Al-Ateen to help the family members of alcoholics. Some fifty years ago two men laid the cornerstone of AA in Akron. Today, their primary tenets, the Twelve Steps, still, in Smith's words, simmer down to "resolve themselves into the "Dr. Bob" Smith, co-founder of AA. words of Love and Service." others. hospital still treats alcoholics today. Wilson through its emotional religious experiences.

mon at that time.After beginning his experimental treatment They agreed to try out their experiences on someone else.In to stop drinking. offered hope to alcoholics.The program started with just two meeting in King School. Akron's Highland Square),Dr.Bob later enlisted the aid of When Wilson stopped at the Church Directory in the hotel The organization is set up as simply as possible.There are Gate Lodge House at Stan Hywet Hall.But the conversation years go this month. Group meetings being held at the home of T.Henry Williams, to stay for only fifteen minutes at the Seiberling's house--the live all over the world.They are the more than one million Bill Wilson.After losing a battle to take over a local company, with trumped-up diagnoses like "acute gastritis" were over. The names as in the earliest days - thus "Dr. Bob" and "Bill W." the Summit County Historícal Society Vol. 38, No. 6.

June, 1985. From: 0ld Portage Trail Review,Bulletin of