Inglis Foundation traces its origins back to 1877 when the first ‘Inglis House' was founded in Philadelphia to serve people with physical disabilities. Originally located in Southwest Philadelphia, 50 years later a new facility was built on the current site at 2600 Belmont Avenue.
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| Annie C. Inglis |
The idea for that first Inglis House came from a young girl named Annie C. Inglis who, as a result of scarlet fever, lived her life in a wheelchair. It was her dream to found a home in Philadelphia to care for those of low income with disabilities during an era when the poor and infirm were dependent entirely on charity care.
Days before she died on May 4, 1875, Annie expressed her dream to her mother, “that a home for those who can't be cured will someday stand in the city.” Annie gave her mother a $1 gold coin for auction to start a fundraising campaign. Over the next two years, that gold coin was sold several times and, ultimately, raised enough money to found Inglis House.
Today, under the parent corporation Inglis Foundation, Annie's dream has grown into a system of services and products designed to maximize the independence of adults with physical disabilities both in long-term care at Inglis House and in community settings. With the evolution of these services, Inglis Foundation has gone from serving 297 customers in 1974 to serving over 2,000 today.
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