History of Cantata / The British Home
The founder of The British Home in Brookfield, IL was Julie Cooke Adams, C.B.E., (Commander of the Order of the British Empire - the highest ranking level of the Order of the British Empire). Mrs. Cooke Adams not only worked for the Daughters of the British Empire in the State of Illinois but also reorganized the order so that British women in the whole United States could be a part of the organization.
This new covenant was signed in Philadelphia on April 14, 1920. Mrs. Cooke Adams was also the first National President of the reorganized Society.
With an Advisory Committee headed by Mr. Samuel Insull, Mrs. Cooke Adams and her DBE cohorts set about realizing their dream. Mr. Insull was a British business magnate. He was an innovator and investor in Chicago who created an integrated electrical infrastructure in the US.
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A parcel of land consisting of about 8 acres, bounded by Salt Creek on one side and 29th Street and McCormick Avenue, was donated by Mr. Insull.
Julie Cooke Adams, C.B.E.
The area at that time was called Hollywood, Illinois, not Brookfield, although it consisted of the current villages of Brookfield, Riverside, and Lyons. Mr. Insull also donated $250,000 with his brother donating another $50,000. The building itself was to cost $200,000.
To establish a sound base for the upkeep of the Home, Mrs. Cooke Adams (with the help of the DBE in the Midwest, The Sons and Daughters of St. George, The Scarborough Club, The Kymry Society, and the British Empire Association) would try in the intervening years to amass $1,000.000.
The first bequest for $10,000 came in 1925 from the estate of Helen Green, to be applied in 1927. The Home was built free of debt and after the first year of operation, a little was left over in the amount of $22,000 to be applied to the Endowment Fund.
The founding of The British Home, which was originally called The British Old People’s Home, involved a sequence of events that covered a period of five years. The sequence of events was:
Incorporation of the Home February 2nd, 1920
Land Donated November 17th, 1922
Ground Breaking May 21st, 1923
Building Commenced June 1st, 1924
Foundation Stone Laid September 20th, 1924
Open to Residents May 21st, 1925
Dedication Ceremony May 24th, 1925
The original building had a central area with two attached one-story wings. It was built to accommodate 61 persons with all rooms having light and sunshine. The two wings had 21 bedrooms each, with solariums at each end. The center area on the second floor was to have 19 bedrooms for men with a men's lounge and employee rooms. With communicating doors, married couples could be accommodated at one end of the wings.
1940s
In 1949 The name was changed from the British Old People’s Home to the British Home for Retired Men and Women and the address was changed from 31st and Andea, Hollywood Illinois to 31st & McCormick, Brookfield Illinois.
Throughout the 1940s, there was a small infirmary on the second floor, but eventually, it became apparent that some type of permanent "hospital" situation had to be created.
1950s
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In April 1952, ground was broken for a new infirmary, which was greatly needed but unfortunately took away the lovely terrace overlooking the creek. This building was dedicated on March 15th, 1953. It was to have 11 patients on the first floor with a doctor's office, a diet kitchen, and a nurse’s station. When the second floor was completed, it accommodated 20 patients in all. With this new infirmary, it was felt that it would release 12 rooms which could be used for additional admissions.
This brings us to the end of Mrs. Cooke Adams's tenure. Her presidency lasted from 1920 until 1955, when her health was failing and she no longer had the energy of her past years. She, too, would become a resident in her beloved British Home.
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Mrs. Percy Mather M.B.E. took over the office of President in 1955. At that time, there were 100 residents, which was full capacity. There were also 15 residents over the age of 90! The first Occupational Therapist was hired for the Home and a campus newspaper was started. A Finance Committee was organized which was composed of businessmen. The Midwestern States of the DBE donated $4,817.00 that year.
In those days, there was also a Middle West District Board whose officers were the Presidents of the Midwest DBE states plus the Home President (this board ended up being dissolved in 1967). An Annual Meeting was held in various districts which helped grow interest in the Homes throughout DBE.​
In 1956, a legacy of $85,355 was left to the Home with an additional donation of $10,000. Both of these donations allowed the Home to create an Endowment Fund. The Admission age was raised from 65 to 70 as the Home continued to receive older residents. This year also brought the installation of an elevator in the Home which saved many steps for the nursing staff and the first married couple was admitted.
By 1958, the Springfield legislature was starting to visit facilities like the British Home and starting to impose rules like there can only be stainless steel in the kitchen and that all doors must be fitted with panic locks. All of the new requirements were created to protect the residents. By 1959, all of the state requirements were met and the Home received its license.
1960s
February 19, 1960, saw the birth of Prince Andrew, at which time the Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago sent a limousine for some residents to celebrate the event with a lovely luncheon and a TV appearance. Unfortunately, on March 27th, Mrs. Cooke Adams, our Founder, passed away in our infirmary.
In 1961, bathrooms were added which cut the number of rooms for occupancy because one room would be taken to make two bathrooms. A Beauty Parlor was added to The Home. Inspectors began to plague the Home and the state organization was now called the Illinois Association of the Homes for the Aged. In 1961 we saw the resident numbers go from 107 guests to 76 by the end of 1962. The board started to become concerned about the drop-off in admissions. The average admission age was 81 ½ years and the board started to try and figure out how to get that age lower. By the end of 1964, the Home was down to 63 residents.
At the beginning of 1967, the Big Snow hit the Home. Approximately 23 inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours. Finally, after an appeal by radio for help some Boy Scouts brought coffee and bread for the residents and staff. They were plowed out but it was several days before the roads were completely open.
At the end of 1969 Mrs. Leo Levin, MBE became the 3rd President of the Home.
1970s
By 1973, the Home was desperately trying to survive as the State laws were insisting that a licensed Administrator be on the premises.
In 1975, Mr. Dennis Sonnenberg came to the campus as our new Administrator. This was a turning point for the Home and its future. His hiring met the criteria of the Illinois State Law so we could receive our license to operate. In late 1975 or early 1976, the name was legally changed to The British Home for Retired Men and Women. We also started accepting people into the Home who did not have British birth or descent. The infirmary was remodeled for $250,000 to conform to State standards. In 1976, Mrs. John Weigelt became the 4th President of the Home, serving until 1987.
During 1977 – 1978, the Home started making changes to the structure of our administrative staff to turn them into professional departments. Mrs. Mathers, MBVS, came to the Home to pass her final days at the Home she had served so proudly.
1980s
In 1980 the state ruled that we had to have a certified Food Service Supervisor on the premises. By the end of the year, we were starting to have some growing pains, so Dennis Sonnenberg initiated a feasibility study to see what services we needed to add to keep fulfilling the public’s need for senior services.
In 1986, Wye Valley Apartments was added to the campus, bringing 66 new apartments to the community. The complex was named at the suggestion of Brenda Weigelt MBE, who chose "Wye Valley" in honor of the region in Wales where she was born along the banks of the River Wye. A few years later, from 1988 to 1996, Joyce Frascone MBE served as the organization's fifth president, leading with dedication and vision during her tenure.
1990s
In 1990, the Health Care Center and Rehabilitation Center were added to the campus, enhancing care services for residents. Two years later, in 1992, the Handy Menders Senior Home Repair Services program was introduced, providing essential home maintenance assistance to seniors. During this time, the board underwent a significant change, welcoming gentlemen and individuals who were not of British descent. In 1995, Medicare beds were certified in the Health Care Center, further expanding medical support for residents. By 1996, the Staying at Home & Handy Menders program was launched to help seniors maintain independence in their homes. That same year, Abbeyfield House in Brookfield became the first of its kind in the United States, modeled after the original British concept from 1956, and offering five private rooms. From 1997 to 2003, Joan Fallert MBE served as the sixth president, leading the organization through continued growth and innovation.
2000s
In 2003, The Woodlands Assisted Living Residence was added to the campus, further expanding the community’s continuum of care. From 2004 to 2007, Glenys Winstone MBE served as the seventh president and continues to reside on the campus. In 2008, Karen Garrison began her tenure as the eighth president, leading the organization through a period of transformation.
In 2012, the organization was rebranded as Cantata Adult Life Services, though its legal name remains The British Home for Retired Men and Women dba Cantata Adult Life Services. That same year, in September, Dennis Sonnenberg retired after 37 years as Executive Director of the British Home. The following month, in October 2012, John Larson was promoted to the position of CEO, succeeding Sonnenberg and continuing the organization’s legacy of leadership and service.
Through the years, the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) has remained a steadfast supporter of The Home, contributing to its services and programs for senior care. Their generosity has funded numerous projects and essential items, including the construction of a gazebo, the purchase of one bus and one accessible car, and enhancements to the British Garden, such as new furniture for the garden and surrounding grounds. Additionally, DBE played a key role in establishing the bird aviary in The Woodlands, bringing joy to residents. Beyond these contributions, DBE has personally connected with residents through an adoption program, ensuring they feel supported and valued. They have also provided critical funding for wheelchairs, blood pressure machines, and a whirlpool tub in the healthcare center, significantly improving the quality of care. To further enrich daily life, DBE has donated prizes for bingo games across all areas of care, bringing entertainment and social engagement to the residents.
This history would not be complete without giving credit to all of the people who created the British Home for Retired Men and Women, all from an idea a woman had to provide services to British immigrants. Both past and present volunteers have made the Home what it is today and we should be very proud of their accomplishments!