AKRON, Ohio — A meeting 88 years ago in Akron set the stage for what would become one of the world’s most enduring organizations — Alcoholics Anonymous.
Each year in early June, the Founders’ Day weekend conference is hosted by the Akron Area Intergroup Council of AA, which plans three days of activities at the University of Akron and the surrounding area.
Founders’ Day weekend features panel discussions, performances, dances and speakers. Many attendees visit historic sites around the city that are associated with the founding of AA. According to Akron AA, each year about 10,000 people attend Founders’ Day weekend in Akron, which runs from Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11.
In 1935, Henrietta Seiberling brought together AA’s founders, Bill W., a Wall Street Broker on a business trip to Akron, and “Dr. Bob” Smith, a local surgeon. Both men were alcoholics. Bill W., who was trying to stay sober on his trip, was looking for support from a fellow alcoholic.
The story goes that Seiberling, daughter of F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., brought Bill W. to the Gatehouse Lodge at Stan Hywet Hall, her family’s home, to meet with Dr. Bob. The meeting extended into hours as the men talked, and the seed was planted for a larger movement.
Dr. Bob took his last drink a few weeks after that meeting on June 10, which is considered AA's founding date.
Over time, more AA meetings took place at the Gatehouse Lodge. Bill W. eventually moved in with Dr. Bob and his wife, Anne Smith, at their Akron home on Ardmore Avenue, now a popular stop during Founders’ Day weekend. There, the men worked to establish the early principles of AA and looked for ways to spread the word that recovery is possible.
Special activities during Founders’ Weekend at Stan Hywet include:
- Throughout the weekend, the immersive exhibit, “Henrietta Seiberling: A spark for a movement.” The free exhibit will take place in the Gatehouse Lodge on the estate, located at 714 N. Portage path in West Akron.
- Throughout the weekend, a reflection tent will be set up near the Gatehouse Lodge for attendees to gather and share stories of recovery
- Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 91.3 The Summit will feature its Summit Wellness program, playing live recovery music
- Saturday, June 10, Stan Hywet will provide free shuttles service to and from Founders’ Day activities at the University of Akron.
Dr. Bob’s Home: Dr. Bob’s Home, at 855 Ardmore Ave. in Akron has been a National Historic Landmark since 1984. The house is where many people began their journey to sobriety sitting at the kitchen table or seated in the living room talking with others. Dr. Bob lived here for 34 years with his wife, Anne Ripley Smith, who died in 1949. Dr. Bob died in 1950. Dr. Bob's home is open seven days a week from noon to 3 p.m. An adjacent property on Everett Avenue was acquired and renovated to serve as a welcome center, library and archive space. Call 330-864-1935 for more information.
Mayflower Manor: The Mayflower Manor is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the South Main Street Historic District. Now a senior-living apartment complex, the Mayflower was redeveloped years to restore the historical character of the building. That included preserving the lobby phone booth where Bill W. is said to have made the now-famous call to Dr. Bob. The call led to the infamous meeting at the Stan Hywet Gate Lodge in 1935 that helped found AA. The Mayflower Manor is located at 263 S. Main St. in downtown Akron. Call 330-762-7518 for more information.
Mount Peace Cemetery: A traditional closing to Founders’ Day weekend, prior to the closing speaker, is a motorcycle procession and tribute to Dr. Bob and Anne Smith at the gravesite at Mount Peace Cemetery for a graveside tribute. The procession will take place at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, June 11. The cemetery is located at 183 Aqueduct St. in Akron.
For a listing of additional sites of historic importance, visit the Akron AA website.