Estates to celebrate 200th birthday of Rouse with open house | News, Sports, Jobs

Henry Rouse

The Rouse Estates are a well-known community facility, which most people understand relates to the family name.

Fewer know the estates are not where the namesake resided. In fact, he never even set foot on the property.

The history of the man who left a legacy and fortune to realize his dream of assisting people experiencing poverty is intriguing.

Henry R. Rouse was born to a poor mother and father on Oct. 9, 1823, in Westfield, NY While his father was a drifter and left the family when he was young, his mother raised him.

With little in the way of finances, it is a bit of a mystery how Rouse was able to attend Westfield Academy. It was there he discovered a talent for orating, becoming a speaker, and participating in debates. His talents earned him recognition from people with money, who then funded further education.

Rouse left Westfield with $1 in his pocket and went south across the Pennsylvania state line, making his way to Warren. He stayed in Warren briefly and ended up halting his journey in Tidioute, where he became the village schoolmaster in 1840.

Taking payment from the locals in the form of boards and shingles, Rouse began sending it downriver to Pittsburgh to be sold and eventually used that money to open a general store between the towns of Tidioute and Titusville.

The Rouse Estate, situated on nearly 600 acres of the Brokenstraw Valley near Youngsville, is a tribute to him, a little-known hero of the oil boom in the Commonwealth. Henry Rouse was a self-made man who had been a teacher, an entrepreneur, and a successful merchant by age 37.

He was involved in the fledgling industry after the world’s first oil well was established in Titusville. Unfortunately, an explosion occurred, killing several men and leaving Henry Rouse with severe burns over most of his body.

Despite his injuries, he dictated a detailed will within the last five hours of his life, bequeathing his fortune in part to the establishment of what is now known as the Rouse Estate.

The Rouse Estate was established during growth and opportunity, initially as a hospital and later as a poor farm to support the less fortunate. As societal needs changed, the estate became a nursing home to care for the elderly and disadvantaged. Over the years, it expanded its services, including constructing a new building and establishing a children’s center in 2004, a new governance structure was implemented, and outdated legislation was repealed to modernize operations.

Today, the Rouse Estate continues to provide services, from skilled nursing to child daycare, embodying its founding values ​​of resilience, compassion, and community service.

That estate is a tribute to the man who was described by those who worked for and with him as a fair man, kind, and charitable to all.

According to its website, Rouse’s motto today is “To improve the quality of life for those who cannot fully care for themselves, regardless of age or economic status. We do this by continually expanding our knowledge, broadening our continuum of care, and improving our services.” The motto is a testimonial to Henry Rouse’s vision and caring for those with less advantage who gave selflessly in life and death.

The Rouse Estates will celebrate Henry Rouse’s 200th birthday by holding an open house and birthday bash at the Suites at Rouse, 615 Rouse Ave., Youngsville, on Wednesday from 2 to 5 pm

There will be hors d’oeuvres, tours, art from residents, the Henry Rouse art contest, a local nonprofit fair, and artifacts from the Rouse Estate.

“We are excited to celebrate Henry Rouse for what he gave to our community through his charitable giving,” said Reyd Martin, Director of CORE Services at the Rouse. “He left a legacy that keeps benefiting those in our community who need it.”