Celebrating 90 years of breaking barriers: A look back at the Hyde Memorial Home

Take a look back at an incredible piece of our history from April 4, 1954. Originally published in the Maine Sunday News, this featured article highlights a cornerstone of our early mission: the Hyde Memorial Home in Bath, Maine.

When Pine Tree Society was established in 1936, our core mission was to ensure children with disabilities could live, play and grow just like any other child. In 1947, the historic Hyde estate was transformed into a 51-bed rehabilitation and convalescent home. It quickly became a vital service during the peak of the polio epidemic in the late 1940s and 1950s. From classrooms and occupational therapy hosted in a converted ballroom to pioneering hydrotherapy programs, the Hyde Home was a place where physical limitations were left at the door.

Nine decades later, our locations and services have greatly expanded, but that very same foundational promise remains unchanged. Whether providing barrier-free access to nature at Pine Tree Camp, or delivering life-changing community and assistive technology services, our gates—and our hearts—remain wide open.

Keep an eye on our social media pages all year long for special Throwback Thursday and Friday Fun Fact features. We will be sharing an extensive archive of historic news clippings, vintage photographs and memories from our journey.

We want to hear from you

Do you or your family members have a memory from the Hyde Home or the early days of Pine Tree Society? We are collecting stories to commemorate our 90th milestone. Please share your story with us at this link.