About Us

The Carr Center’s History

In 1956, Zanesville welcomed its first and only center for disabled children. Known as the Muskingum County Society for Crippled Children, Inc. the center provided care and services to area children suffering from polio, cerebral palsy, deafness, and speech impairments.

Under the careful eyes of the original founders, Ed Allen and Orville Littick, the center flourished. On August 25, 1978, the National Society for Crippled Children became known as the Easter Seal Society for Handicapped Children and Adults, creating a name change also here in Muskingum County. Located in the Wilson School building, the Muskingum County Easter Seals society continued to serve the disabled children in our area.

• In the 1970s the Center relocated from Wilson School to Brookover Ave.
• In 1987, the Center established the Cake auction, as the primary fundraiser, to support its many programs.
• Mr. Alfred S. Carr bequeathed a large sum of money in his will to the Center. Trustees: Dorbie Littick, Ancel Luburgh, and Dale Tysinger oversaw the purchase of our current location, 1035 Beverly Avenue, enabling the Center to have ample space for its expanding programs
• With a $25,000.00 grant from the Area Agency on Aging PSA #9, the Carr Center opened an Adult Day Care; the first of its kind in Muskingum County.
• In 1994, the Board votes to disaffiliate from the National Easter Seals Society. On August 8, 1994, the Center is renamed the Alfred S. Carr Center in honor of Mr. Carr’s generous gift to the Center.
• In 2004 the Alfred S. Carr Center was renamed The Carr Center, Inc.
• Today the Carr Center offers services through more than 18 active programs to children and adults living with disabilities in Muskingum County.