In the late 19th century, two extraordinary women of Boston launched philanthropic efforts that laid the groundwork for the Carleton-Willard of today.
Dr. Elizabeth Abbott Carleton founded an organization that grew to become the Elizabeth Carleton House, a charitable home for elderly couples in reduced financial circumstances. Separately, Miss Caroline Caswell, inspired by an 1894 talk by Women's Christian Temperance Union president Frances E. Willard, began developing a network of social services eventually organized as the Frances E. Willard Homes. Both efforts thrived.

In 1975, in recognition of new societal needs, trustees overseeing the Frances E. Willard Homes and the Elizabeth Carleton House decided to combine the organizations' resources to create a continuing care retirement community. Finally, in 1982, after five years of planning and two years of construction, Carleton-Willard Village opened on land once occupied by the Willard Homes' original Llewsac Lodge. In 1988, the Village became the first full-scale continuing care retirement community to be accredited as such in the Commonwealth.

Carleton-Willard today continues to combine improvement and innovation with unflagging commitment to providing the best in retirement living. We proudly set the standard for continuing care.