Our History
Willow Lodge began in 1969 with the determination of Margaret Colburn, volunteers, and the ten people from the community who each posted a $1,000.00 bond. It was first opened as a residential boarding home in the old Lillian Fraser Hospital building on Main Street, in Tatamagouche. It then came under the umbrella of a committee from the Board of Directors of the Lillian Fraser Hospital.
In 1974 this committee incorporated Willow Lodge under the Societies Act and registered as “WILLOW LODGE ASSOCIATION”. A volunteer 18-member Board of Directors was created from the community to manage the activities of the Association. They were now on their own and their objective was to administer and provide a Boarding Home for Senior Citizens who did not require nursing home care, on a “non-profit basis”.
In 1977 the Board of Directors started working on plans to build a new building. This was realized in July 1980 when the first ten residents were welcomed to the 51 bed nursing home. Willow Lodge Association’s objectives were changed to read “to establish, conduct, maintain, operate and administer a Home for Special Care and associated activities related to special care, on a non- profit basis”.
The old building was closed due to Fire Marshall Regulations and is now the location of the Fraser Culture Centre that houses the Art Gallery, Village Office, Tourist Bureau, and many other community activities.
In November 2010 Lynwood House opened, a 10 room household as well as new main entrance and administration offices.
Today Willow Lodge Association is governed by a volunteer 11-member Board of Directors elected from the community at an annual meeting. Presently operating a 61 bed Nursing Home that is licensed by the Department of Health, “Meals on Wheels” program, and a Red Cross Equipment Loan Depot.