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The history of Frontier Nursing Service cannot be told without enlightening our friends of the account of Wendover, which was the home of our founder, but oh, so much more.
In 1923, Mrs. Breckinridge spent her summer riding over the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. She surveyed the land, talked to the lay-midwives and visited with the people of the mountains, often fording the river 5 or 6 times to reach a home. On a particular beautiful afternoon she was riding along the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, she rounded a bend in the road at that time travelers used the river as a map, she saw the most beautiful spot and smiled as she said to herself, "One day that will be my home." Less than two years later construction began on the site, which would become known as Wendover. Before her home was built, Mrs. Breckinridge asked her Aunt Jane (her father’s sister) to give it a name. Mrs. Breckinridge wanted something that would reflect Anglo-Saxon, which is inviting and restful. Mrs. Breckinridge believed when a possession meant something to you, it should be given a name. She naming things gave character, therefore every building and nearly every animal at Wendover had a name.
The threat of flooding was prevalent in that day so every home and building was usually constructed on the mountain side. Later Mrs. Breckinridge would relate that living on top of these mountains where the air was cleaner, closer to a water source and a person was certainly closer to God. That being the circumstance, not only her home, but also virtually every out post clinic and the hospital was set atop a mountain.
The driveway leading into the Wendover compound welcomes visitors with such beauty. If you are being bided by rays of sunlight or pines covered with snow it is the start of a beautiful journey. Pig Alley is the name given to the driveway and of course it’s name was given because that was where the pigs were kept,. Some few hundred feet away is the pasture and barn where the horses where held in reserve. Today the pasture is empty but the barn stands as a reminder of those early travelers.
The Garden House, built in the early 1930s was the administrative office, housing for the female couriers and accommodation for some of the clerical staff. Among other things, Mrs. Breckinridge was adamant upon detailed record keeping of the patients they were helping in the clinic. She knew if this work was to be well regarded she must show the progress that had been made. This was one of the reasons the fire on that cold winter afternoon in 1941 was so devastating. Thousands of hours of recorded hand documentation that had been entered by nurses were gone in only a moments time. The outpouring of compassion was unimaginable. The secretaries that lived in the garden house lost all their possessions for the exception of what they were wearing. Within days people begin to send clothes, donations and other items needed to replenish the Garden House. The Garden house was rebuilt to a beautiful structure that today houses the cooperate offices for the Frontier Nursing Service, Special Projects, Public Relations, the Development Office and the office of the Tour Guide. The third floor which is set up in dorm style housing is still home to our female couriers.
The Barn, which in earlier time was home to horses overnight. Today it is the Gift Shop and guest housing. Often Mrs. Breckinridge and the nurses were summoned in the late night or early morning hours for a momma in labor or a gunshot wound or a child with a high fever. The nurse and a courier would ride out to administer care to the patient. Today the barn is filled with Frontier Nursing Service memorabilia and crafts made by people in the area. It also has a beautiful apartment adjacent with a spectacular view of the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River. The Barn also has four sleeping rooms upstairs and serves as the male courier dormitory.
The path leading from the Barn to the Big House and the Upper Shelf is strewn with beautiful shrubs and flowers among them - Mrs. Breckinridge’s favorite rose. The Upper Shelf was built to accommodate guests, some that were curious of the work Mrs. Breckinridge was doing and others who just wanted to spend time with their friends. Either of the sort was always welcomed at Wendover. When the Upper Shelf wasn’t occupied with guests staff members and weary travelers would enjoy the quietness of its remarkable location, nestled among the trees just behind the Big House. Today it is a part of our guest housing, but this is not for the faint of heart. The nearly 100 steps leading up to the beautiful and tranquil view is quite a climb.
The Big House, home of the founder of Frontier Nursing Service was constructed in1925 built from the logs that were hewed from the mountainside behind the home. When the house was completed in December, a house warming was held and Mrs. Breckinridge invited everyone to come and be a part of the celebration. Mrs. Breckinridge’s father was at her side and was very important part of the festivities, a group of young children sang “Come All ye Faithful” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Silent Night”. Mrs. Breckinridge told the people, “ Wendover was built in memory of my children, to be used in work for your children”. A bronze plaque hangs in the living room that commemorates that day.
Each room has it’s own personality. One room is dedicated to the memory and the work of Betty Lester who was the 3rd nurse-midwife to join Mrs. Breckinridge’s crusade. She spent many years as a part of the Frontier Nursing Service. The room dedicated to the honor of Helen Brown known as “Brownie” displays many of her accomplishments including a picture of Brownie being received by the Queen of England. Brownie was Mrs. Breckinridge’s assistant and did much traveling on behalf of the Frontier Nursing Service. After Mrs. Breckinridge’s death in 1965 Brownie became the director of Frontier Nursing Service, a position she held for many years.
The Sitting Room, which is simply wonderful with it’s enormous fireplace and yesteryear surroundings. This room like many of the others is rich with history. Mrs. Breckinridge and her staff gathered here every afternoon for tea, spoke of the on-goings in the district clinics, and discussed the matters of importance.
