Soldiers' & Sailors' Home

Pros

• It is a wonderful place.
• It has a lot of history in its soil and soul.
• The staff are wonderful, caring, and professional.
• The dedicated staff promptly assessed emergencies and saved lives.
• Cheri and Beth have assembled an extremely professional and dedicated staff.
• They take care of veterans.
• The grounds are beautiful and historic.
• The facility provides a safe, friendly environment with food and medical care available.
• It is a historical landmark.
• The art pieces in the facility are breathtaking.
• The brig is nostalgic.
• The trip yields priceless rewards.

Cons

• The staff there are rude.
• They charge way too much rent for what little they do.
• This place is ghetto.
• The bus drive is highly dangerous and should not be allowed to transport anyone at any time.
• The care for my grandfather was upsetting and raises concerns about his safety.
• The home is accused of cheating the government by not providing the care owed to veterans.
• No veteran deserves to be treated the way the reviewer describes.

Review

The Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie sits on historic soil along the bay, a place that many describe as more than a facility - it's a repository of memory and a living tribute to those who served. People repeatedly reference its long-standing role in the community, noting that it was once connected to marine hospital work and sits near the harbor's edge where the shoreline itself seems to carry stories of a bygone era. Visitors speak of the grounds as both physically impressive and emotionally resonant, a place where history and care mingle and where the past feels very present in the architecture, the grounds, and the way the staff attend to residents.

Visitors who come for a tour often remember a personal encounter with the place's history. One of the standout experiences involves a guided inside tour led by Mr. Ken Vybiral, who is praised for his warmth and knowledge. The property's layers of history come alive through the artifacts and historic structures - the Anthony Wayne Blockhouse and the ever-present sense of the site as a living museum. The grounds also house a cemetery and a collection of art pieces that some visitors describe as breath taking, contributing to a feeling that this is a site meant to honor veterans as well as educate children and adults alike.

Caring, capable hands are a central theme in many accounts. A powerful testimony from May 3, 2023 recounts a moment of medical distress when the patient could not breathe. The staff's quick assessment and decisive action led to swift transfer to UPMC Hospital in Erie, a move that the commenter credits with saving a life. Described specifically are Cheri and Beth, who are said to have assembled an exceptionally professional and dedicated nursing and aide team. The sentiment is that the staff's professionalism and dedication make the home a safe and supportive place for veterans in need, and the gratitude expressed goes beyond a single incident to a general appreciation for the level of care and attention people receive.

Alongside the care, many reviews express deep gratitude for those who have given their lives in service. The sentiment is layered: there is pride in the home as a refuge for veterans, respect for those who served, and an acknowledgment that the site serves the living veterans as well as preserving a memory of the fallen. Comments like "Thanks to all who gave their lives" sit alongside affirmations that the facility provides living arrangements for veterans and maintains a safe, friendly environment where residents can find comfort and companionship.

Not every voice is entirely positive, however. A handful of reviews raise concerns about safety and treatment. One account describes a dangerous incident involving a bus driver, accusing a rolling right-hand turn onto a bayfront road of brake-checking a semi-truck in a manner that suggests risky judgment. Other reviews describe rude or unsympathetic staff and even call the place "ghetto," reflecting a strong sense of frustration with certain aspects of day-to-day operations or experiences. Another reviewer notes that rent is high for what is provided, signaling frustration with the cost of living while acknowledging the facility's mission to care for veterans. These critiques illustrate that, while the site is cherished and valued, there are real tensions and expectations about safety, demeanor, and affordability that visitors and residents alike are navigating.

There are also personal anecdotes about long-standing ties to the place. One reviewer, who spent 15 years as a hairdresser/barber working on-site, speaks glowingly of the staff, describing them as wonderful and the work as rewarding. This long-held connection adds another layer to the home's narrative: beyond being a facility, it is a community where staff and residents form meaningful relationships over many years. The site's character - its historic architecture, expansive grounds, and a sense of being a place where people's lives intersect with veterans' stories - emerges clearly in these reflections.

The site presents itself as a destination with multiple facets: a historical landmark, a place of living care, and a center for community engagement. Visitors repeatedly mention its beautiful grounds and historic buildings, and several point to its accessibility for public engagement - concerted by free admission and a sense that the rewards of visiting are priceless. The home hosts activities and events that bring families and veterans together, including seasonal gatherings that align with a sense of tradition and heritage. The atmosphere invites education and reflection, whether through a walk around the grounds, a look at the Wayne Blockhouse replica, or a quiet moment in the chapel's stained-glass window scene (even if some elements, like the Lincoln window, are noted as no longer in use).

People's experiences extend to intergenerational outreach and community involvement. Scouts and cub masters are mentioned as regular visitors who bring children to sing Christmas carols for the residents, a gesture that underscores the home's role as a place of dignity, memory, and shared humanity. The site is described as a place where veterans can connect with others in a safe and comfortable setting, with opportunities for arts, crafts, and wholesome activities. There are even stories about metal-detecting excursions on land behind the home in search of remnants tied to the area's earlier fortifications, like Fort Presque Isle - a playful, educational hobby that ties kids to local history. The overall picture is one of a broad, living ecosystem: a historic campus that still serves as a home, a museum, a school, and a community hub.

In the end, the stories converge on a single, resonant idea: the Soldiers and Sailors Home is both a monument to the past and a living, breathing community today. It's a place where the bay's breezes carry echoes of veterans' service, where the grounds and historic structures invite curiosity, and where dedicated staff strive to provide compassionate care. It's celebrated for its beauty, its history, and the genuine acts of kindness that occur within its walls, even as it faces real challenges - sound governance, safety concerns, and the ongoing work of balancing cost with care. For many, it remains a place of reverence, learning, and enduring service - a beacon of gratitude for those who served and a reminder of the ongoing responsibilities that communities bear toward their veterans.

This part of Erie, Pennsylvania, is a bustling and convenient area with easy access to medical care, dining options, transportation, pharmacies, cafes, places of worship, and parks. With several hospitals and specialized physician practices nearby, residents can feel confident in their healthcare options. The variety of restaurants in the area offer a range of culinary choices for seniors to enjoy. Additionally, the proximity to public transportation makes it easy for residents to get around without needing a car. Nearby pharmacies provide convenient access to medications and healthcare supplies. The presence of cafes provides opportunities for socializing and relaxation. Places of worship are also close by for those seeking spiritual community. Lastly, the nearby parks offer green spaces where seniors can enjoy nature and outdoor activities.

Physicians

• Bayview Nephrology (0.5 miles)
• Hamot Heart Institute (0.7 miles)
• Erie Psychiatric Associates (0.8 miles)
• Ilin, Vladimir Upmc Northshore Neurology (0.8 miles)
• UPMC Hamot PASE Center (0.8 miles)
• Advanced Pain Medicine (0.9 miles)
• Anesthesiologists Of Erie (0.9 miles)

Restaurants

• New York Lunch (0.6 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (0.7 miles)
• KFC (0.7 miles)
• Olivers Rooftop (0.9 miles)
• Rum Runners (0.9 miles)
• Bayfront Grille (1 miles)
• Taco Bell (1 miles)

Hospitals

• UPMC Hamot Infusion Center (0.6 miles)
• Healthsouth (0.7 miles)
• UPMC Womens Hospital 5th Floor (0.7 miles)
• UPMC Hamot 8 South (0.8 miles)
• UPMC Hamot 7 South (0.8 miles)
• UPMC Hamot Radiology (0.9 miles)
• St Vincent Wound Clinic (1.8 miles)

Transportation

• Bus Station (0.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Burhenns Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Ember + Forge (0.9 miles)
• Tim Hortons (0.9 miles)
• Fat Lenny s (1.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (2.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of St Paul Episcopal (1.1 miles)
• Islamic Association of Erie (1.6 miles)
• Erie United Methodist Alliance (1.6 miles)
• Mount Calvary Catholic Church (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Roger Young Park (1.7 miles)
• Liberty Park (1.8 miles)
• Chautauqua Park (1.8 miles)