At Home with History and Heart

As the premier assisted living community on the North Shore, John Bertram House has served seniors for almost three decades.  The model of exemplary care in beautiful home-like surroundings has beeen the answer for seniors and their families desiring care and safety as well as autonomy and individuality.  Residents experience a wide range of personal care services, a vibrant activities program, and highly trained staff to provide support for the unexpected need.

Sea Merchant, Captain John Bertram established the Salem Home for Men in 1877.  He wisely recognized that some men live fuller lives when in a home that provided supportive services, meals, and companionship.

The mission of Sea-Captain John Bertram is present today through the John Bertram House's commitment to service, care, and community for both men and women. The John Bertram House is the recipient of mulitple awards and honors for customer satisfaction, business, historical preservation, and stewardship.  Residents, their families, and surrounding communities are well served by the John Bertram House.

How did the John Bertram House become the Community it is today? 

Watch as Co-Developer, William F. Carney, 

discusses the early years of Assisted Living in Massachusetts.

VIDEO:     25th Anniversary History

Who was Captain John Bertram?
John Bertram was born on the Isle of Jersey in the Channel Islands off the Coast of Normandy. In 1807 his father, Jean Bertram, with his wife Marie, John, and five other children immigrated to America. They were bound for Baltimore on the ship Alert, however, when the ship began to leak, the captain put into Boston instead. The Bertram family settled in Salem, Massachusetts. Only John spoke English and establishing a new life in America was difficult for the family.

In order to help support his family and to begin his career as a sailor, John went to see as a cabin boy at age ten. He earned five dollars a month and had many adventures. On one voyage he was captured by the British. Upon his release he was returned to Boston. With no other choice he set out, bare-foot, to walk home to his family in Salem.

His career continued to grow and John rose to become a ship captain. At age thirty-six he had made sufficient money to retire from the sea. As a merchant he continued to grow his wealth by owning ships which he utilized in trading with South Africa, Zanzibar, Madagascar, and Brazil. He also successfully invested in the railway systems of North America.

Throughout his life, Captain Bertram never forgot his families financial struggles during his childhood. He lead a life aware of the less fortunate around him and sought ways to meet their needs. With his wealth and great generosity he established Salem Hospital and programs for Women and Children. After his death in March of 1882 his widow donated their home to become the Salem Public Library.

One of Captain Bertram's most significant gifts was the Salem Home for Aged Men, or the John Bertram House as it is known today. John Bertram's original intent for the home was to provide shelter and meals for older men who had no family members to care for them. More specifically, sailors, who had spent their lives at sea.

In 1988, with the house in disrepair and only three men residing in the building the Board of Trustees closed the home. After two years of historical preservation and practical renovations the home was reopened as Massachusetts first free-standing assisted living community for men and women. Confident in fulfilling Captain Bertram's mission the Board of Trustees continued to work toward the building and opening of the Bertram House in Swampscott in 1997.
(From a lecture given by his Granddaughter, Selina Little, at the John Bertram House in Salem.)