Peekskill Firm Helps Preserve Historic Home of Alcoholics Anonymous's Bill W.

KATONAH, NY—Stepping Stones, the historic home of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) cofounder Bill Wilson and Al-Anon Family Groups cofounder Lois Wilson, has raised $51,906 to preserve the writing studio in which Bill W. wrote the book “12 Steps and 12 Traditions,” which is one of AA’s basic texts.

The Stepping Stones Foundation is the tax-exempt non-profit that preserves the site and family archive and shares the legacy of the Wilsons through educational tours and programs. In 2015 Stepping Stones announced that the modest 1940s studio nicknamed “Wit’s End” needed fortification due to natural weathering and the infiltration of elements over the course of decades.

“Key projects to protect the much-loved studio were identified by Stepping Stones’ preservation architect Stephen Tilly of Dobbs Ferry, NY,” says Sally Corbett-Turco, Stepping Stones Foundation Executive Director. “Stepping Stones launched the campaign for Bill W.’s writing studio in 2015 and has since received 236 gifts from donors from 35 states, Canada and Ireland. This included two crucial foundation gifts; the 3B’s Foundation helped propel the start of the campaign and the Goodnow Fund matching challenge stimulated giving that brought the campaign to a successful close.”

States most represented by gifts were: New York with 54, California with 27, New Jersey with 19, Florida and Maryland with 10 each, and Connecticut with 9.

Preservation of the studio structure is under way. Contributions are already being put to good use.

Most significant among the projects to date is the work of a firm from Peekskill, Seekircher Steel Window Corp., which specializes in restoration of steel casement windows on historic properties. They recently completed their work on the original Studio windows in time to better protect the building interior for the winter.

Studio campaign donations received at this point can be used for ongoing maintenance of the structure and conservation of artifacts housed in the space.

The Stepping Stones Foundation has six structures, 8.17 acres and 115,000 artifacts and documents in its care. Stepping Stones encourages support of its general operations, as well as the ongoing campaign to digitize 100,000 of Wilsons’ personal papers.

“The writing and ideas that Bill Wilson generated in his studio are remarkable.” says Tracy Goodnow, Executive Director of The Goodnow Fund. “Bill W.’s work helped and continues to help heal millions of individuals and families worldwide, so The Goodnow Fund was glad to contribute to protecting the iconic yet humble building that means so much to people worldwide.”

“The campaign was a grassroots effort with $108 as the average gift from individuals and other organizations and businesses,” adds Corbett-Turco. “We are grateful for all donations. Each one makes a difference—from the gift of $9.70 on up.”