- Built on generosity. Grounded in community.
A legacy that keeps evolving.
About Us
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Schmitt Woodland Hills Richland County’s trusted home for seniors since 1965. We’d love to show you around and answer any questions you or your family may have.
A Timeline of Giving Back
A Vision of Care
In 1962, William Schmitt's legacy of generosity—built on a lifetime of success in the cheese business—became more than a business achievement. It became a promise. When William passed away that year, his will carried a gift to Richland Center: funding to build a place where older adults could age with dignity, community, and purpose.
That promise became Schmitt Woodland Hills.
Opening Our Doors
On March 25, 1964, our doors opened for the first time. What started as a single building on farmland at the end of Seminary Street soon welcomed over 1,500 visitors from 65 Wisconsin communities in that first week alone. People came to see what the Schmitt family had imagined: a true home for seniors, not just a facility.
Our first residents arrived with a simple understanding: they weren't moving to an institution. They were joining a community. Within nine months, 53 residents called Schmitt Woodland Hills their home.
Expanding Our Promise
Credit Richland County History Room, photo taken by Helene & Willard Pratt
By 1974, we made our first major change: we lowered the age requirement from 70 to 65, opening our doors to more people seeking the community and care we offered.
In 1981, as our family grew, so did our building. A $1 million expansion added new apartments, expanded our Health Center, and created spaces for activities, therapy, and gathering. Mrs. Oda Schmitt—William's widow—and other generous supporters made this growth possible without burdening our residents. By October 1982, retired Bishop Ralph Alton blessed our new spaces in a Consecration ceremony that marked not just a building expansion, but a deepened commitment to serve.
Building on Our Foundation
In 1987, Westview Assisted Living opened its doors, allowing us to serve more people at different stages of their lives. Twenty years later, in 2014, we broke ground on a new 50-bed Skilled Nursing Unit with all private rooms and private baths. The Grand Opening on August 22, 2015, coincided with our 50th anniversary—a celebration of how far our community had come, and how much further we could go.
Today & Tomorrow
In 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ranked us among the top 5-star rated nursing homes in the nation. That recognition isn't about a score—it's about the dedication of our staff, the trust our residents and families place in us, and the values that have guided us for 60 years.
We remain Richland Center's only continuum of care facility—a place where you never have to leave your home as your needs change. That's not just our operating model. It's our promise to you: we grow as you grow, we adapt as you adapt, and we're here for every stage of your life.
About our Logo: The Tree of Life
The Changing Seasons of Life
Anchored in the Roots of our Faith
Like the Tree of Life that stands in our garden, our roots run deep. For six decades, we’ve served Richland County with faith-based care that keeps us grounded in our mission. But we don’t grow alone. Our strength comes from our residents, their families, our Board of Directors, community members, and local leaders—all who believe in what we’re building together. We’re not just a home. We’re a rooted community.
The Trunk that Supports the Canopy
A Continuum of Care
Whether you’re looking for independent living, assisted care, or skilled nursing, we offer a complete continuum of care so you never have to leave home. Explore the options that are right for you.
- What Our Clients are Saying
Testimonials
The warmth, compassion, and community at Schmitt Woodland Hills is something our residents and their families feel every single day. These are their stories.
- Your Generosity Goes a Long Way
As a nonprofit, every dollar donated stays right here in Richland County — supporting residents, families, and programs that make a real difference in people’s lives.
