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The Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Springfield, Illinois, is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, marking eight decades of providing safe, supportive and independent housing for adults who are blind or visually impaired in central Illinois. Licensed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Mary Bryant Home is a certified supportive living community serving up 42 residents ages 22 and older. The home offers health care, dining, activities and support services to promote active, independent lifestyles for residents. The Mary Bryant Home is one of only two certified supportive living facilities in Illinois that is licensed to serve blind and visually impaired adults ages 22 and older.
The Mary Bryant Home first opened in June 1946 at 1001 S. Fourth St. in Springfield, fulfilling Mary Bryant’s wish to provide a safe home for blind women. Initially housing seven residents, the home expanded in 1948 to accommodate 20 women and added nursing services in 1950. In 1960, with community support, the home moved to a larger facility at 1100 S. Fifth St. and began serving both men and women. In 1983, the current 26,000-square-foot facility at 2960 Stanton St. was designed from the ground up for inclusivity, with specialized features for the home’s blind and visually impaired residents.
Originally a shelter care facility, the home transitioned to a supportive living community in 2004, offering apartment-style living for blind and visually impaired residents.
The home’s namesake, Mary Bryant, was born Aug. 24, 1854, in Cook County, Illinois, and lost her vision following an illness at age 9. She later attended the Illinois Institution for the Blind (now the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired) in Jacksonville and worked at the school after graduating in 1878 until her death in 1921. In her will, Bryant designated that her savings of $3,589.83 be used to create a safe home for blind women. After several years of planning and volunteer efforts, her dream became a reality with the opening of the Mary Bryant Home in 1946.
“This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the generations of residents, supporters and staff who have made the Mary Bryant Home what it is today,” said Misty Duncan, executive director. “We are incredibly proud of our history and excited about continuing to serve our community for many years to come.”
Duncan joined the home in May 2001 and recently celebrated 25 years of service with the home. She was named executive director in July 2025 following the retirement of longtime executive director Jerry Curry, who was executive director from July 2000 to July 2025. During her career at the home, Duncan has served as the activities director, director of marketing and community outreach and assistant executive director.
Throughout 2026, the Mary Bryant Home will mark its 80th anniversary with special projects and improvements focused on accessibility, safety and quality of life for residents. One recent initiative includes replacing the aging Braille signage throughout the facility, much of which has remained in place since the building opened in 1983. The project is supported by a grant from the American Business Club of Springfield and will ensure residents and visitors can navigate the building safely, confidently and independently.
Some other projects the home is focusing on include painting throughout the home, refurbishing the handrails to improve safety, updating the courtyard pavilion and adding new swings and remodeling the residents’ personal laundry room. The home welcomes community involvement, partnerships and support year-round.
“To be relevant for 80 years, you have to continually listen and adapt,” Duncan said. “Everything we do centers on dignity, independence and respect for the people who call this place home.”
The community is invited to help celebrate this milestone at the Mary Bryant Home’s 80th Anniversary Open House — “A Legacy of Light — 80 Years of Independence” on June 26, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will feature appetizers and cocktails, entertainment by Robert Sampson and a brief program. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, learn about its history and see firsthand how the home continues to serve individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
The Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired is located at 2960 Stanton St., Springfield, IL 62703. The home may be reached at (217) 529-1611 or at mbha@marybryanthome.org. For 80 years, the home has remained committed to its mission of fostering independence while creating a welcoming sense of community.
