Tribute from Bill Wilson

Lets Keep It Simple

This was on the wall in the archive. One of my favorite sayings, but often difficult to follow.

The Varieties Of Religious Experience

This book was written by the psychologist William James, and was read by Dr. Bob. The version present was not the actual copy used by Dr. Bob, but was held in the collection, at the archive next door.

From this book came the concepts of a higher power of our own understanding, the notion of an educational variety of spiritual experience, and many other common parts of the AA program.

Having read this book, I have come to believe that Dr. Bob was a deep thinker indeed. I am grateful that he and others were able to consume, digest, and extrapolate the pertinent information, and to simplify concepts expressed. It was one of the most arduous reads in my life.

Bible and the Big Book

This big book is a first edition. I was told that it was not actually Dr. Bob's big book, but it does look like a first printing. I don't know if it was an actual first printing, but it was obviously not one of the new first edition reprints available at present, as it has no reprint stamp on the front, and it is thicker than the new reprints (which by the way are very nice in their own right). In the eighties a gentleman reprinted the first edition, and quite a few copies were distributed. They are very high quality replicas, and to the untrained eye, can be difficult to differentiate from the actual first edition. Even those reprints now go for several hundred or more dollars. The first printing was red, and almost every other edition is blue, except for several very rare printings which were green. Up until mid way through the seventh printing, the big book remained the same size. It was a very thick large book, making use of heavier weight paper. Mid way through the seventh printing, the size was drastically reduced to comply with government regulations, regarding paper use in publishing, during WWII.

From the first printing to the second, several changes were made. The story "A lone Endevour" was removed. Even the title of the story will be all that is necessary for most AA members to understand the necessity of it's removal. Several other changes were made, including but not limited to the change of "spirtual experience" to "spiritual awakening" in chapter five. This change was made at the recomendation of a priest, as it was pointed out to Bill Wilson, that not all members would have a spiritual experience as Bill had, and that it could prove to be a point of contention.

The second picture is of Dr. Bob's bible. Thie bible is in fact the bible that Dr. Bob used. It is under glass, in the living room area of the house, and opened to the book of James.

The Back Porch

This is the back porch of the house. It is my understanding that underneath this porch, those who were restoring the house found a bunch of empty liquor bottles. The second picture of course, is the entire view of the back of the house. 

From The Archive

The first picture is of  Dr. Bob, and Sister Ignatia. Also present is some sheets from Dr. Bob's prescription pad. The second picture is Dr. Bob's Rx pad. The third and fourth pictures are of Dr. Bob's medical equipment. The fifth picture is of Dr. Bob's graduating medical school class (Smith, R.). These items are in the archive of Dr. Bob's house, which is located next door to the house at 855 Ardmore. Many thanks to all who have worked so hard to preserve this remarkable site, and these memorable items.

The Grave Site

After visiting Dr. Bob's house at 855 Ardmore, Akron, Ohio. One of the caretakers took time out of their day to lead me to  Dr. Bob and his wife Anne's grave site (Mt. Peace Cemetary, Akron). I am extremely grateful. For quite some time, I have wanted to go to Dr. Bob's grave site. I had heard that it was simple, and not fancy. Upon arriving, the first thought that crossed my mind was anonymity. The head stone was not easily visible from the street, and upon closer inspection, the location, and look all served to convey a sense of anonymity. No grand statues, or plaques. No fountains, with angels, no marble scrolls. Nothing at all to denote that this is the grave site of a man who with God's help, helped thousands of alcoholics; now millions. Absolutely remarkable! An example of humility. I was happy to see a flower pot next to the head stone that listed the four absolutes: Absolute Purity, Absolute Honesty, Absolute Unselfishness, and Absolute Love.

This memorial is present at the entrance to the cemetary, and is not readily visible. It is also not near the actual grave site. It is quite impressive, and well maintained by the folks who maintain Dr. Bob's house. If not for the generosity of the caretaker who directed me to this, I would simply have never found it on my own.

Dr. Bob and Anne's Room

This is Dr. Bob and Anne's room. For some reason the heavily worn rug that Dr. Bob prayed on was removed. The room is closed off to visitors, and can only be viewed from the hallway. I was informed that the change was made due to items that came up missing from this room. No one who is recovered did this.

Smitty's Room

This is the room that Bill Wilson stayed in when he visited Dr. Bob. In a speech that Dr. Bob gave in 1948, he indicated that Bill Wilson had stayed with him and his family for approximately three months. He also indicated that during the time that Bill was with them, both he (Dr. Bob), and Bill Wilson would stay up most nights until three AM discussing the steps, and the early program.

On the table between the two beds was a jar of saur kraut, and a jar of stewed tomatoes. Early on in his work with alcoholics, Dr. Bob provided large quantities of these materials to those newly sober. He felt that these were necessary, to give them a good cleaning out. Luckily, this method of working with new comers quickly fizzled out. Although, at times, it doesn't seem to be a bad idea!

Sue's Room

Many alcoholics stayed in this room, as Dr. Bob worked with them, early on in Alcoholics Anonymous. It was known as the "surrender room" as this is the place that Dr. Bob would help new prospects to make a decision to turn their lives over to God. On the bed is the book Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as "The Big Book." It is opened to the Third Step Prayer. This is a very special place, and I must admit that I found it a priviledge to stand in the same house that Dr. Bob worked with so many alcoholics.

As I stood in this room I thought of a paragraph in the big book: On page 164 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, it states "Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you--until then."

The above quote has been something I have pondered since I first read it. As a person who tends to overthink everything in a very concrete manner, I used to read that, and think to myself that the writers of the book erred in writing it as such, because I will never meet them. However, one day I was in a meeting listening to another member speak, and I realized that they were passing a message to me that had been passed down to them, from the founders of AA. At once I realized that I had met those men and women, as I have trudged this Road of Happy Destiny. I have met them many times in fact, and although separated by distance, time, and death, they are with me and all members of AA, in the Fellowship of the Spirit.

The Upstairs Bathroom

These images are of the upstairs bathroom at Dr. Bob's house. The present caretakers indicated to me that the bathtub is the same tub that was in the house when Dr. Bob lived there. I had to laugh at the laundry shoot. The caretaker who took me through the house showed me the shoot, and told me to reach in an up. I did so, and immediately understood what Dr. Bob had done. He had pulled out the sheet metal forming the inside of the shoot, so that he could set a flask of alcohol in a sort of hidden shelf. I was reminded of several of my hiding places when I was a youth.

Kitchen and The Coffee Pot

              

I was very happy to see a coffee pot in the kitchen, and full too! There is something special about AA coffee. To me it is the best coffee around, although it is usually inexpensive. Upon walking into the kitchen, it smelled like an AA  meeting.  Obviously some of the first conversations in AA took place in this kitchen. At their first meeting, Dr. Bob had only intended to spend minutes with Bill Wilson. Dr. Bob indicated that he subsequently listened to Bill for hours, because he knew that Bill really had something to say. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous clearly states that alcoholics require a message that has depth and weight, and that frothy emotional appeal will seldom suffice. Although Dr. Bob, and Bill did not actually meet for the first time at this house, I imagine the conversations that took place in this room, and throughout this house had an incredible depth and weight.

The thing that is very interesting to me is that both Dr. Bob, and Bill Wilson had experience with the Oxford Groups, and that Dr. Bob had actually been involved with them longer than Bill. Dr. Bob did indicate, however, that the Oxford Groups in New York focused more on service, than did their Midwestern counterparts. Having similar involvement, yet different experiences, undoubtedly provided for very interesting discussiuons. Perhaps an understanding of the difference between theory and practice, as brought by Bill, was one of the reasons that Dr. Bob focused heavily on the Book of James, in the Bible, and the idea that "faith without works is dead."  

 

The back door, coming into the kitchen.

Once inside the door, immediately to the left is the dining area. The typewriter in this picture was the same once used by Dr. Bob, family members, and others, to type some of the early stories in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. I placed my own big book on the table next to this typewriter. During my visit, the house was filled with early jazz music, from a wonderfully restored radio, designed to continuously play this music. Apparently Dr. Bob always had music playing in the house.

The Front Porch

This image is of the front porch. How many of the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous walked up the steps and stood on this front porch?

Front of Dr. Bob's House

Dr. Bob's house sits on a corner. A large memorial rock has been placed on this corner. I wanted to add that my intention in creating this blog, is to assist folks who may never have the opportunity to travel to Akron, Ohio in person. There may be many who are in geographically diverse places, shut in, or unable to to travel here for any number of reasons. Hopefully, the photos in this blog will in some small way assist folks in observing this wonderful historical site.

Across The Threshhold

For years I imagined what it would be like to walk into this house. The very door way that Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson passed through. Upon entering this house, one of the caretakers stated "welcome home." Indeed, I did feel welcome, and for some strange reason, it did feel familiar. It was as I expected, a simple home. It is well known that Dr. Bob focused on simplicity, especially in his work with alcoholics. The house conveyed this sense of simplicity, and again, those who restored the property, and those who care for it at present, have done a marvelous job.

The Front Porch

The care takers of Dr. Bob's House have done a marvelous job. The upkeep is wonderful, and the atmosphere is welcoming.

First Post

This is the first post on this blog. I who shall remain anonymous since I consider this to be the level of press, will be posting some photos of a recent trip to Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith's former house. Dr. Smith was a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and lived at 855 Ardmore Avenue, Akron, Ohio, until his death. If not for God, the work of this man, Bill Wison, and the many who passed the message to me, I would not have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.

Although for years I lived relatively close to this very special house, I never visited. Now in my 21st year of sobriety, the opportunity presented itself, so the visit was made. The first thing that struck me about this house was that it looked very modest. No big palace, just a humble abode of the man who helped change the world. It is common knowledge among many alcoholics, that there are 12 steps leading to the front door of this house. I do not believe that this is a coincidence. Although I am of the belief that the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous are the tools that lead alcoholics to God of their own understanding, and no edifice, it was still a humbling experience to walk up those steps. Imagine, the very steps that Bill Wilson walked up, to meet with Dr. Bob.