Dr. Bob's Home

In a quiet and cozy neighborhood in Akron, there is a site of immense significance for millions of people worldwide. Dr. Bob’s Home is not just a historic early 20th-century building, but the birthplace of the global Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) movement. This is where Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith lived and worked, going down in history as one of the founders of the community that has given hope for recovery to countless people.

This modest two-story house, built with elements of Victorian architecture, has been converted into a house-museum. Visitors to the USA value it for its carefully preserved atmosphere: authentic interiors, the Smith family's personal belongings, and original furniture allow you to literally travel back to the mid-1930s when the foundations of the mutual aid program were laid here.

The museum's status and high rating among tourists highlight the importance of this landmark. It is a place of strength and inspiration, where every exhibit tells a story of struggle, compassion, and incredible human resilience.

To clarify visit details or organize a group tour, you can use the museum's official contact information.

The staff and volunteers are always ready to answer questions about exhibit accessibility and special events.

The main reason to visit Dr. Bob’s Home is for its unique tours. The guides, many of whom are sincerely dedicated to preserving the legacy, will lead you through all the floors, including the famous kitchen and the doctor’s office. You will see original furniture, old photographs, and books that the founder of the movement himself once held.

Visitors are allowed to look into the rooms where the first meetings of people seeking support were held. Special attention should be paid to the personal belongings of Dr. Bob and his wife, Anna—they help bring history to life and show the conditions in which the ideas that changed the world were born. The house maintains an atmosphere of silence and deep respect for the past.

After touring the interior, be sure to take a stroll through the small garden on the grounds. It is an ideal place for quiet reflection. If your visit coincides with June 10, you can witness the Founders' Day celebration, featuring lectures, meetings, and commemorative events that bring together like-minded people from all over the world.

This historic landmark is located at 855 Ardmore Ave in a quiet residential neighborhood. Getting here from downtown Akron is easiest by car: drive west on West Market Street and then turn onto Ardmore Avenue. Free parking is available for visitors right next to the house.

If you prefer public transportation, use the METRO RTA bus system. Routes 61 or 82 stop nearby on Briceland Avenue. From the stop to the museum, it’s a pleasant 10–15 minute walk.

For travelers arriving from other cities in the USA, airports are convenient entry points. From Akron-Canton Airport (CAK), a taxi or rental car ride takes about 25 minutes, and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), it's about 50 minutes via I-77 S. You can also always use popular ride-sharing services directly from the city center.

The history of this place is inextricably linked to a fateful meeting that changed millions of lives. On May 12, 1935, Bill Wilson, a stockbroker from New York, and Dr. Bob, a local surgeon, met in this house. Both were struggling with alcohol addiction and discovered that sincere conversation and mutual support helped maintain sobriety more effectively than any medical methods of the time.

The official founding date of Alcoholics Anonymous is considered to be June 10, 1935. On this day, Dr. Bob had his last drink and, together with Bill, began actively helping others in need. The house on Ardmore Avenue became the movement's first headquarters: meetings were held here, and the spiritual principles that formed the basis of the famous "12 Steps" program were developed here.

Dr. Bob lived in this house until his death in 1950. During this time, he personally and selflessly helped more than 5,000 people find their way to recovery. The founders consciously renounced personal gain and fame, emphasizing the importance of anonymity and selfless service—ideals that are still felt within the museum's walls today.

Today, Dr. Bob’s Home is a place of pilgrimage. Every year in June, "Founders' Day" is celebrated here, gathering thousands of people from around the world to honor the memory of the man whose home became the cradle of one of the most significant humanitarian movements of the 20th century.

To leisurely explore the exhibits and experience the special atmosphere of this place, 1–2 hours is enough for most travelers. This time is sufficient for a detailed tour of the rooms and a self-guided look at the memorabilia.

If you plan to visit as part of a group or want to spend time in the memorial garden for reflection, you should allow an additional 30–40 minutes. The place encourages thoughtful exploration, so there's no need to rush.

The museum follows a fixed schedule and is open to visitors daily. You can plan your visit for any convenient time during the week.

Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Please note that the operating hours are quite limited, so it is recommended to arrive at the start of opening to have enough time for a full tour.

A visit to the house-museum can be perfectly combined with a stroll through other interesting spots in the city. The area around Ardmore Avenue and downtown Akron offers guests both historic landmarks and scenic park areas.

Exploring the surroundings will allow you to better experience the atmosphere of old America and learn about the industrial and cultural heritage of the region.