History

History of Caring

The history of Eger is the story of its people.  The names of many of them are presented in the record books.  Records cannot describe adequately the dedication, struggles, faithfulness and commitment which these names represent.  The task of caring for the elderly at Eger was accepted by men and women who, motivated by God’s love, gave of themselves sacrificially to provide compassionate care to those in need.

 

One by one the founders and original builders have left us.  We are thankful for their priceless legacy.  New workers, lay and professional, have come forward to continue the tradition of dedicated and competent service in the ever-changing community.

 

Eger was founded by and for Norwegian-Americans.  The City of New York once possessed a Norwegian population second only to Oslo, the capital of Norway.  The ethnic mix of the community has changed, so, too, have the staff, residents and patients who now comprise the Eger family.  In 1916, Eger consisted of a house, twelve residents, a matron and a part-time custodian.  Today, Eger is a complex of corporations.  The diverse resident population is served by a professionally and technically trained staff and many dedicated volunteers.

 

The original program of providing good food, clean living accommodations and religious services has been vastly expanded to include a broad spectrum of heath care and community services to the elderly.

 

Eger has preserved this quality of loving, home-like concern for all it has been privileged to serve in the past ninety-two years.

Carl Michael Eger (December 7, 1843 – May 16, 1916)

Eger, whose generosity and foresight made possible the excellent health care facility that bears his name, was remarkable person who made contributions to the life and culture of New York and the nation which extended beyond his concern for the elderly.  Born in Oslo, Norway, and educated as an architect in Germany, he came to this country in 1869 to continue his studies.  In 1876 he formed a partnership with Niele Poulsen and founded the Hecla Architectural Iron Works.  Eger and Poulsen were dedicated to producing the highest quality products possible.

 

Some of the buildings which used the metal work provided by the Eger and Poulsen Company were the Hotel Pennsylvania, Hotel Commodore, Hotel Astor, and Altman and Constable Stores; the U.S. Treasury Annex in Washington; the tower of the Traveler’s Insurance building in Hartford; and the Bank of Commerce building, New York.

 

The Statue of Liberty, the majestic symbol of freedom which has greeted generations of immigrants, is the most notable of all structures which bore Eger’s mark…The double spiral iron staircase around a single shaft 100 feet high with 12 landings.

 

The present Eger community on Staten Island is visually connected to the Statue of Liberty from the upper floors and is connected in another way as well.  The copper for the exterior sheath of the statue was taken from land in Karmoy, Norway, owned by Baard Visness Lane, the grandfather of Baard Lande who gave countless hours of volunteer carpentry and woodcarving service to Eger Homes.