Annals of St. Ann's Hermitage: 1905

After inquiries, several discussions with the owner, and a few difficulties which had to be overcome, the property was finally purchased on 28 February 1905, and since Good Saint Ann had seen all to a happy conclusion, the new acquisition was placed under her protection by being called St. Ann's Hermitage.

The house was said to be haunted. So much so that one day when Brother Provincial and Brother Ptolemeus came to visit it, the driver advised them not to buy that house because it was the devil's quarters. Our visitors calmed the good fellow by telling him nicely that that was the very reason why they wanted to buy it.

Visit of Brother Berillus, Assistant. Before we acquired the property Brother Berillus, Assistant General, happened to be passing through New York on his way back from South America; he came to visit the property, accompanied by Brothers Ptolemeus and M. Cephas. Needless to say that he found the property well suited to our needs and applauded the idea of purchasing it. He added that, if need be, he would speak on our behalf to the General Council.

General overview of the property.

This property of some 25 acres [actually 35], situated on the left bank of the Hudson which a thousand historical souvenirs still haunt, is, with its shaded groves, its lake with clear water, and its well-kept lanes, a location very well suited to prayer, study, and retreat. The main house, which had been richly furnished formerly, was in a terribly sorry state.

Settling in.

Brother Felix Eugene, Provincial at the time, immediately sent a few Brothers to occupy the newly acquired property. These were Brothers Ambroise and Etienne-Frederic; then came Brothers Gervasius, Pimen, Jean-Albert, Henri-Colomb, and Flavien.

Brother Gervasius was named Director. Needless to say that he was the man for the job; he proved it by the work which was done.

A large part of the furnishings, including Mr. MacPherson's [sic] magnificent piano, were included in the bill of sale. We must say that in Mr. MacPherson's time, this villa was frequented by the high society of the-city, of the area, and even of New York. Mr. MacPherson, the owner, had the habit of inviting these well-known people to frequent banquets and evenings. Being himself a noted pianist, he took pleasure in accompanying the songs and dances, enhancing the evening programs in his large reception halls. All these halls had been built for that purpose.

But since then the villa had passed into other hands, those of Mr. Goodwin as we said above, and the house and property had been left untended.

Condition of the house when purchased.

Seen as a whole, everything inside and outside of the building recalled the rich condition of times passed, but it takes somebody used to a house's dilapidated condition and an abandoned property to realize the pitiful state of the new place when we acquired it. General repairs were an absolute necessity and were done as well as possible. Brother Director and the other Brothers set to work courageously and soon everything was put in an acceptable state, besides the fact that they had to prepare a dormitory and classrooms for the expected-Juniors.

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