about us : history

Beverly Farm was founded in 1897 by Dr. William H. C. Smith and his wife Elizabeth. They had been searching for a suitable tract of land where they could establish a fundamentally different approach in caring for people with developmental disabilities. William and Elizabeth found the perfect location in Godfrey, Illinois where they would offer a caring home, socialization, proper medical care, healthy diet, physical exercise, education, recreation and meaningful work – a radical concept at the time.

They named the land Beverly Farm in honor of Dr. Smith’s birthplace in Beverly, Massachusetts. And, with two residents and two buildings, William and Elizabeth began their journey and their dream.

Well, a lot has happened between then and now ( view timeline ), but the vision of two people from Massachusetts still drives the mission and belief system shared by the staff of Beverly Farm and the many families they serve.