History of Foulkeways

Foulkeways at Gwynedd was the 1st Continuing Care Retirement Community in Pennsylvania.

Foulkeways of Gwynedd’s rich history began in 1945 when 67 acres of historic William Penn land were given to Gwynedd Friends Meeting (Religious Society of Friends) by Charles O. Beaumont in honor of his late wife, May Foulke Beaumont.

After many, many years of thoughtful discussions, and heated debates, concerning how best to use the bequest, the Quaker Committee at Gwynedd Friends came to an agreement; the land would be used to establish a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

A totally new concept on the East coast, a CCRC had recently opened its campus in California and exemplified a community made up of people, 65 and older, who had come together to experience new friendships, continued mental and physical enrichment, and camaraderie.

Best of all, health care, when it was needed, would be delivered in a caring and thoughtful environment to the members of the community.

From inception to reality, Foulkeways opened its campus on November 10, 1967, making it the first CCRC in Pennsylvania and one of the first Quaker CCRCs in the country.