June 15, 2004
New Name, Image for Ralston

The Board of Managers of Ralston House is proud to announce the corporation is now known as Ralston Center. Founded as the Indigent Widows and Single Women’s Society, the 187-year-old organization was renamed Ralston House in 1973 in honor of its founder, Sarah Clarkson Ralston. (Click History tab for more). So, why the name change?

From 1817 to 1984, Ralston House served as a residence and nursing home for Philadelphia’s seniors. During the mid 1980’s the Board of Managers decided to close its facilities as a residence, eliminate its role as a nursing home and adopt a new mission:

"It is the mission of Ralston House to develop services which address the medical, mental health and quality of life needs of older adults and to engage and assist in research and education in the care of the elderly."

However, the identity as an organization engaged exclusively in housing remained. "Since closing as a residence, because of our name most people still identified the corporation’s service and mission as housing, nursing home or indigent care", says Michael Erdman, Managing Director. "The corporation needed an identity that better reflects its current service and mission to Philadelphia’s seniors."

As a result, the corporation created the name Ralston Center, eliminated the "house graphic" from its logo and selected a new color for the logo. Mr. Erdman states, "We believe the new name and image is more compatible with the corporation’s mission."

Ralston Center will now serve as the identity associated with executing the corporation’s mission and service to Philadelphia’s seniors.

The name Ralston House still has a role within the corporation. The organization’s headquarters located at 3615 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia retains the name. The building’s role now is to serve those organizations engaged in geriatric health services. Ralston House identifies the building. (Click Ralston House tab for more).