Tenacre's Early History

Today Tenacre’s property consists of 35 buildings of various sizes on 65 acres, but when it began, it was just 10 acres. In the 1800’s, the Tenacre Poultry Farm was part of a farming community known as Cedar Grove.

George and Kathryn Barmore, Christian Scientists from New York, moved to Tenacre in 1912, a year after their marriage. They enlarged the house and transformed the grounds into a charming setting of flower gardens, pathways, ponds, and tennis court.

They became founding members of the Princeton Christian Science Society in 1917. Mrs. Barmore opened an office in Princeton as a Christian Science practitioner. After running the poultry farm for a few years, Mr. Barmore also became a Christian Science practitioner. In connection with their practice, patients and friends often visited. At their urging, the Barmores started a rest home for Christian Scientists in 1922, with accommodations for three paying guests. By 1928, Tenacre was incorporated, had a staff of Christian Science nurses, and was caring for about 20 guests, all of whom were relying on God for healing, as taught in Christian Science.

To help ensure that Tenacre would continue beyond their personal involvement, the Barmores changed the corporation to a not-for-profit in 1935 and called it Tenacre Foundation.

In 1938, the Barmores left Tenacre in the hands of a new board and moved to Maine where they had often spent their summers. They continued to serve as Christian Science practitioners. The new Board of Trustees was headed by Howard G. Bleakly, CSB, who asked one of his students in Christian Science, J. Burwell Harrison, if he would volunteer his management talent. Mr. Harrison agreed and, in 1939, began commuting between his hotel business in East Orange, NJ and Tenacre. They faced financial challenges, but prayed and moved forward, building strong relationships with the state agencies and finding balance between needs and supply, even starting a benevolence fund. They were grateful for every evidence of supply and called it 'expected good from unexpected sources.'

During World War II, although eligible for a waiver, Mr. Harrison served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45. Mrs. Harrison was interim manager until his return.

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison often spoke of those early years and the feeling of being led every step of the way. They retired in 1989 after 50 years of dedicated service.

This work of loving our neighbor, as Christ Jesus bids us, continues with lessons learned daily through reliance on God.