From 1933 until the early 1970s, the famous Kelleys Mansion was owned by the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, serving first as a retirement/summer home for sisters, then later as a summer camp for girls. (Note cross on the mansion in photo.)New link for Kelley's Island history: https://www.kelleysislandhistorical.org
Apparently, at some time in the early 1900s, the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament also had a presence on the island, staying in a structure rebuilt from the John Stokes wine cellar (see link):http://drc.ohiolink.edu/handle/2374.OX/1977
Good Post, Kevin. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks. There are more good pictures at the Lake Erie Yesterdays database:
ReplyDeletehttp://dmc.ohiolink.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?page=index;c=ley
In 1965 I graduated from St.Joseph Academy in Adrian, MI. Although I was 17 years of age, I was not able to return to my home country due to some political upheaval. Therefore, the Dominican sisters arranged for my and my sister to attend Summer Camp at this place (I believe it was - I sort of recall the house); the older girls slept upstairs. We had a great time. It is nice to see the picture. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI attended St.Joseph Academy also in 1971-1973. It was a great experience. I also attended the Dominican Camp for Girls in the late 60's for a couple of summers. Great childhood memories.
DeleteI was 9 years old the summer of 1956, and I was the second youngest camper at Dominican Camp. I stayed 2 sessions, almost too long for me. First session I stayed with some sisters and the youngest campers in a cottage behind the mansion. Second session I was in a large one-room dormitory filled with campers' beds, on the second story of the dining hall building. Best activity: each session the campers and some nuns took the ferry to Sandusky and we spent the day at Cedar Point amusement park. It had the BEST fun house I'd ever seen! Great camp, lots of activities.
ReplyDeleteI had these same memories when I attended in the late sixties. My mom still has the picture of me and my archery group. I got home sick but everyone was very nice.
DeleteI was the second youngest camper at Dominican Camp the summer of 1956 - I was 9; youngest girl was 7. We both came via train from Chicago. I stayed 2 sessions, almost too long, as I got homesick often. But we had lots of activities: crafts, singing, swimming in Lake Erie, sightseeing on the Island, and each session we had one trip via ferry to Sandusky for a day at Cedar Point. That was so much fun; the nuns were with us and the funhouse man let us go in/out as often as we wanted. The funny mirrors were the part I liked the best. Young campers like me only were allowed into the Kelley Mansion occasionally, but never upstairs. All I recall is a working player piano in a front parlor and many piano rolls. I had never seen a player piano before.
ReplyDeleteI was a camper two or three years in a row. Too long ago to remember just how many times. It was 1969/70/71'. I loved it! Sister Maureen was wonderful and all the sisters made it a great experience for a little forgotten girl. I loved the horses, bunnies, swimming, crafts and choir. I remember it as it was just yesterday, some 50 years later. I still to this day appreciate the architecture of the house and the staircase. The widows peek was beautiful and the house amazing. I only have a few pictures now as a flood took everything else. It was an amazing place to spend my summers. Thank you Dominican Sisters!
ReplyDeleteI also attended this camp for 2 summers in the late 60's. I can remember getting homesick and how nice everyone was to me. Great childhood memories.
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ReplyDeleteHello Kay - I accidentally deleted your comment about the camp on Kelleys Island, and I can't figure out how to get it back. If you re-write your memories, I will post it. My apologies!
ReplyDeleteI attended this camp and really enjoyed the horseback riding that we did and the time that everyone bicycled in a long single line on a perfect day around the island. You can never know how splendid something is until it is finally all gone.
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