July 23, 2025 —Mary Coulling can still recall a time when having a viable option for older adults to live in a residential community that offers continuing care without leaving Lexington was merely a pipe dream.
Mary and her husband, Sidney, were among the first to move into Kendal at Lexington when it opened in July 2000. However, its inception dates back to 1994, when a group of community members came together to meet the needs they saw in their beautiful town of Lexington, Virginia.
She often reminisces about those early days—from the founding residents’ celebratory meal on their first evening in the unfinished dining room to maneuvering around the continued construction as she navigated the community spaces.
Trees did not grace the landscape as they do today, and Kendal Hall, the fitness center and other amenities residents can enjoy now were yet to be realized.
“Before we actually moved in, my husband and I, from where we lived, could see and hear Kendal being built. Month after month, we hoped we could move in soon,” Mary said.
Twenty-five years later, Mary is pleased that she saw the dream become a reality and witnessed that small group of individuals transform into a true community committed to redefining what it means to age well.
“I think all of the early newcomers felt a sense of gratitude,” Mary said. “We felt gratitude for the vision, hard work and generosity that transformed dreams and blueprints into the cottages and apartments we now occupy.”
Mary and other founders will participate in Kendal at Lexington’s 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 17, a milestone event honoring a quarter century of community, lifelong learning, engaging residents and a trailblazing spirit.
The Beginnings of Kendal at Lexington
The first step in making Kendal at Lexington a reality began in 1994 when David Cox, then rector of the former Robert E. Lee Memorial Church, saw a lack of retirement options in Lexington.
David Cox shared the idea with Dianne Herrick, the former director of the Lexington Downtown Development Association, and the two put together an all-star team to serve on an exploratory planning committee. Within weeks, they had their first meeting, which lasted only 45 minutes.
The newly formed Lexington Retirement Community Board comprised David Cox, Dianne Herrick, Matt Paxton, Frank Correl, Jon Ellestad, Farris Hotchkiss, Barton Dick, Paul Maini, Beth Thompson and Ned Henneman.
“The board needed all those skills so that people would know they were serious about what they were endeavoring to do and that they were looking into the broad spectrum of all aspects of it,” Mary said.
The board knew the Lexington community and what they wanted, but they knew little about the Life Plan Community business. They worked tirelessly to raise funds, commission a feasibility study, acquire nonprofit status, and educate the public about Life Plan Communities, encouraging further investments and support.
Sunnyside and the Kendal Connection
“We knew we would need an affiliation, money and a place where this would be. There were all sorts of things we needed to get in place for us to have a place where people thought they might want to come live,” resident and early trailblazer Dianne Herrick shared.
After considering a few other location options but struggling to find a place that would meet all the necessary specifications — large, scenic, affordable — a fortuitous solution almost magically appeared.
In 1996, Fred and Isabel Bartenstein offered to donate Sunnyside House and 84 acres of the historic Sunnyside Farm. The Bartensteins’ gift helped secure credibility with investors and the wider community and attracted The Kendal Corporation, a not-for-profit organization currently comprised of ten affiliated communities and organizations in eight states.
Four years later, the very first residents moved into Kendal at Lexington.
The rest is history.
25 Years of Gratitude and Growth
Today, Kendal at Lexington is home to over 250 older adults who reside on the mountain view land centered by the historically preserved Sunnyside House. Since the early days, about half of the residents have come from the Lexington vicinity, and half from all across the country.
The campus now offers cottages and apartments for independent living, assisted living apartments and the Benjamin Borden Health Center, which serves community members as well as Kendal residents. The programming and amenities include resident-driven programming, delicious food, a fitness center and an art gallery, all designed to support residents’ emotional, physical, intellectual, cultural, social and spiritual well-being.
Since its opening in July 2000, Kendal at Lexington has embodied gratitude, friendship and learning together, as emphasized by the original residents who shaped the community.
“The residents who came early were not concentrating on what we didn’t have; we concentrated on what we did have. We had a beautiful field full of birds and flowers, and residents were resilient and adaptable,” shares resident Ruth Woodcock, one of the first to join the community.
Community Connections
The continued commitment of residents and employees and the strength of Kendal’s guiding Quaker values provide a strong foundation. As Kendal at Lexington celebrates 25 years, a new chapter starts with a new Chief Executive Officer, Adam Day, who began his role in June this year. As a non-profit organization, Kendal at Lexington proudly reflects on the legacy of building a community and enriching lives, not only as a residential community for older adults, but also as a major employer that pays property and payroll taxes.
Residents of Kendal dedicate over 200 volunteer hours per month to the local area, and the community’s proximity to esteemed universities and colleges like Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute enhances the commitment to lifelong learning. Partnerships with local organizations highlight how closely tied to Lexington the residential campus is. Collaborations include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for tree plantings, Functional Pathways, which offers on-campus therapy services to the broader community, care provided at the Borden Health Center, area high schools that place student interns at the community and community colleges that gain access to job placements.
Dreams and Celebrations
“The Board and I are excited to celebrate Kendal at Lexington’s 25 years and are looking forward to what the next 25 will bring with a new CEO in place and a community full of wonderful residents, making this beautiful location in our special town such an amazing place to be,” said Pam Luecke, Chair of the Board of Directors.
“Kendal at Lexington’s 25th anniversary celebrates the inspiring local community members who first envisioned this gorgeous community, and the enthusiasm of current residents and dedicated employees who continue to make the dream so sweet,” shares Vassar Byrd, CEO of The Kendal Corporation.
On July 17, 2025, Kendal at Lexington held its 25th Anniversary Celebration to honor its legacy of community, trailblazing spirit and learning together.
Highlights of the invitation-only celebration include:
- A special lineup of speakers, including residents, staff members, Kendal at Lexington CEO Adam Day, Board Chair Pam Luecke, and The Kendal Corporation CEO Vassar Byrd
- Long-time residents sharing insights and memories from Kendal’s history
- Hors d’oeuvres by Southern Inn catering
- Music by Bill Claytor with a string quartet
Pre-events honored the legacy of Kendal at Lexington:
- Kendal Trailblazers Talk: Original residents shared inspiring stories from the early years.
- Ice Cream Social: A fun, community-centered gathering was held for all to celebrate.
- Kendal College Presentation: Lena Hill, Provost of Washington and Lee University, held a special talk on “Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley: Lexington’s Lifelong Learning Community.”
- Sunnyside House Historical Marker Dedication: A beautiful new informational plaque now stands out front.
