History
Margaret Pratt was born on the Lower Plain in Bradford in 1905 on her parent's farm. Her father was known as the “King of Strawberries” throughout the area. She lived all but 2 of her 98 years in Bradford when she went away to college. Margaret married George Pratt and together they raised 5 children on the farm. Margaret lived a simple life, devoted to her family, the land and the mountains. Arriving on her porch you were greeted by planters full of pink and white petunias, and the most perfect view of Mt. Moosilauke in the White Mountains. She was often heard saying that she “got her strength from the mountains.”
After raising a family, Margaret went back to work as a first-grade teacher in Bradford and influenced the lives of countless young children through the years. Margaret also volunteered in town, serving on the Library Board and volunteering at the Congregational Church. She was devoted to her faith, and had a thirst for knowledge, reading and taking correspondence courses throughout her life, while passing on the importance of learning to others.
Margaret and George lived a full life in Bradford, always with a house full of children, grandchildren, friends, and family. There was always enough food to go around, and always room for one more person at their table. She tended her vegetable gardens with pride and spent most of the late summer canning food for each winter. Margaret opened her heart and her home to everyone.
When a nursing home in Bradford closed in the early 2000’s, a group of local people led by Dr. Jim Barton formed Enhanced Living, Inc., a non-profit organization whose purpose was to develop an assisted living community to serve the local senior population. One of those people, George Pratt Jr., of Bradford brought the support of his family and their resources to back the project, in honor of their mother. Dr. Jim and the Board of Directors were tenacious in their efforts to develop and fund the community, eventually securing financing through USDA and Wells River Savings Bank. Today, Enhanced Living. Inc. owns Margaret Pratt Community and has contracted with Grand Senior Living of Charlotte, Vermont to provide professional management services.