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AA birthplace gets national historic landmark status
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 25, 2013
It is the place where thousands come each year to pay tribute to the ideals and program that has helped so many to regain their sobriety, and recently Dr. Bob’s home at 855 Ardmore Ave. in Akron was designated a National Historical Landmark.
The home where Dr. Robert and Anne Smith lived from 1916 to 1950 was one of 27 sites designated on Oct. 17, 2012 by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is considered the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous since it is where Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith got sober with the help of New York businessman, Bill Wilson (Bill W.), who had been struggling with his own sobriety.
“The house is held in the highest regard by all, even a mecca for some alcoholics, and people travel the world to come here and see where it all began” said Harmon V., chairman of the board of Dr. Bob’s Home Inc., and a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous since July 10, 1987. “Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson met on Mother’s Day weekend in 1935 and Dr. Bob took his last drink on June 10, 1935, which is considered the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.
“Bill Wilson stayed in the house with Dr. Bob and many of the ideals for 12-step programs were hammered out in the kitchen and living room of the house,” said Harmon. “With Bill’s help Dr. Bob started the first AA group in Akron.”
Dr. Bob died in Akron in 1950, and 15 years of uninterrupted sobriety. oday Alcoholics Anonymous has over 2 million members; many make it a point to tour Dr. Bob’s house and visit the gift shop next door at 859 Ardmore Ave.
“The bulk are members of AA, but we also have those who support them, and members of other 12-step groups as well,” said Wayne B., who is a four-year AA member and one of the many volunteers who conduct tours and help maintain the home. “On Founder’s Day in June we have over 7,000 people lined up all the way down West Exchange Street.
“I have been doing this for about a year-and-a-half now,” said Wayne. “I consider it my service work. Service work is one of our principles. It’s not just that I’m sober now; I have to pass on what I have to those who are still sick and suffering. It is about attraction rather than promotion. It is our job to be active examples.
“I suspect I have a couple alcoholics in my own family and I’m waiting for a call but, they have to hit their rock bottom first. Everyone goes through his or her own journey. When they are ready I can take them to a meeting and help them get a sponsor but that is all I can do. I cannot get them sober, they have to do the work.”
Dr. Bob’s home is the second national historic landmark in Summit County. Akron’s Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, the Seiberling estate, already held the status. Among the other sites designated on October 17 was Stepping Stones. Located in Katonah, New York, the house was once owned by Bill and Lois Wilson, co-founders of AA and Al-Anon Family Groups.
“There are only 71 national historic landmarks in Ohio, and 2,494 in the United States so it is a pretty big honor,” said Harmon. “On Mother’s Day we will be unveiling the plaque during a ceremony. The lieutenant governor is expected to be here.”
The home’s journey to national historic landmark status actually began many years after Dr. Bob’s death when a small group of Akron AA members decided they wanted to preserve it. At the time a student at The University of Akron owned the structure. Since AA is prohibited by its traditions from purchasing property, a nonprofit foundation was created in the mid-1980s to purchase and maintain Dr. Bob’s home as a museum.
In October of 1985, Dr. Bob's home was named a state historical site by former Gov. Richard Celeste, and later U.S. Congressman John Seiberling got the home listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Harmon said in 2011, the house underwent a $95,000 restoration, which was done by professional contractors, who specialize in historical preservation.
Since the number 12 is key to the program, there are 12 steps leading to the front door of Dr. Bob’s home.
“The original house had 11 corner slats in the floor of the dining room and 13 in the living room and now there are 12 in both rooms,” said Wayne. “This change was made as a labor of love by another one of the volunteers at the home. The house has some unique features including a gas fireplace, servants’ quarters, indoor garage and a bathroom off the kitchen.”
“We only have one part-time employee; the rest is done by volunteers,” said Harmon, who has been chairman of Dr. Bob’s Home Inc. since 2008.
“Personally I would be dead without AA.” said Harmon. “What’s so mind boggling about the program is how far reaching one person’s sobriety can be. Before I got sober, I had lost my wife, four children and a career at a Fortune 500 company.
“The program reunited our family and helped me get back into the workforce. As a result my children were able to go to the college of their choice, which is where they met their spouses, and they’ve had children. My children all work in fields that help others. believe this is a direct result of their exposure to the fellowship, and who knows what lives their children will change.”