Founded in 1895, by a small, but inspired, group of 14 Doylestown ladies, the Village Improvement Association of
Doylestown was the first Women's Club in Bucks County. The first meeting was held April 26, 1895. Mrs. Mary L. Dubois
was elected Chairman and chaired the April meeting and the meetings on May 10, May 21, and May 28th. The
constitution was adopted at the May 21st meeting. Mrs. Richard Watson was elected President at the May 28th meeting.
Since that time, the V.I.A. has grown in size to its current membership of approximately 420. The V.I.A. joined the
Federation of Women's Clubs in 1898 and participated in both State and General Federation activities for 98 years.
The community is the primary concern of the V.I.A. A wide range of programs has been initiated and supported to enhance
the quality of life in Central Bucks County.
The V.I.A. is nationally recognized as the only Women's Club to own and operate a community hospital. Doylestown
Hospital was opened in 1923 after years of planning and preparation. It has expanded in size and services to the present
208 bed full-service, acute care facility with a Medical Staff of more than 400 physicians in over 50 medical specialties.
In November 1985, the V.I.A. membership approved a plan for corporate structuring that created the V.I.A. Health
System. This plan took effect in march 1986 and has enabled the V.I.A. and Doylestown Hospital to operate more efficiently
and with greater diversification.
In 1992, the V.I.A. acquired the Pine Run Community and Health Center and in 1998 added a separate assisted-living
complex known as Pine Run Lakeview.
In May 2001, the Health & Wellness Center by Doylestown Hospital was opened in Warrington. Hospital services in this
facility include: The Lab Fitness + Spa, diagnostic services; a fitness center,and an outpatient surgery center.
The V.I.A. Health System has grown from eight beds in 1923 to 443 beds in 2009.
Throughout its history, the V.I.A. has continued to be forward looking, while maintaining the original goals of the
Association which are to promote "every proper means of improving and beautifying Bucks County...improving the health
and welfare of the residents," and "supporting a community hospital and other health care facilities for the benefit of all
persons." Each year members rededicate themselves to these commitments made in 1895.
Doylestown was the first Women's Club in Bucks County. The first meeting was held April 26, 1895. Mrs. Mary L. Dubois
was elected Chairman and chaired the April meeting and the meetings on May 10, May 21, and May 28th. The
constitution was adopted at the May 21st meeting. Mrs. Richard Watson was elected President at the May 28th meeting.
Since that time, the V.I.A. has grown in size to its current membership of approximately 420. The V.I.A. joined the
Federation of Women's Clubs in 1898 and participated in both State and General Federation activities for 98 years.
The community is the primary concern of the V.I.A. A wide range of programs has been initiated and supported to enhance
the quality of life in Central Bucks County.
The V.I.A. is nationally recognized as the only Women's Club to own and operate a community hospital. Doylestown
Hospital was opened in 1923 after years of planning and preparation. It has expanded in size and services to the present
208 bed full-service, acute care facility with a Medical Staff of more than 400 physicians in over 50 medical specialties.
In November 1985, the V.I.A. membership approved a plan for corporate structuring that created the V.I.A. Health
System. This plan took effect in march 1986 and has enabled the V.I.A. and Doylestown Hospital to operate more efficiently
and with greater diversification.
In 1992, the V.I.A. acquired the Pine Run Community and Health Center and in 1998 added a separate assisted-living
complex known as Pine Run Lakeview.
In May 2001, the Health & Wellness Center by Doylestown Hospital was opened in Warrington. Hospital services in this
facility include: The Lab Fitness + Spa, diagnostic services; a fitness center,and an outpatient surgery center.
The V.I.A. Health System has grown from eight beds in 1923 to 443 beds in 2009.
Throughout its history, the V.I.A. has continued to be forward looking, while maintaining the original goals of the
Association which are to promote "every proper means of improving and beautifying Bucks County...improving the health
and welfare of the residents," and "supporting a community hospital and other health care facilities for the benefit of all
persons." Each year members rededicate themselves to these commitments made in 1895.
| Village Improvement Association of Doylestown |
A Capsule History of the V.I.A.
The James-Lorah Memorial Home
The handsome Federal building at 132 North Main Street, Doylestown, known as the James Lorah-Memorial Home, was the
home for 85 years of Miss Sarah M. James, a charter member of the Village Improvement Association when it was founded
in 1895. Upon her death in 1954, Miss James bequeathed the V.I.A. the 17-room residence, its contents and a trust fund for
maintenance.
The north wing was originally a saddler's shop built in the early 1800s. Abraham Chapman, a lawyer, purchased the shop
in 1813 and later gave it to his son, also a lawyer, who enlarged it for use as a law office. In 1844, Henry Chapman, by then
a judge and widowed for seven years, built for his future bride-to-be "the finest house in the borough" joining it to the law
office. A grandson, the noted Henry Chapman Mercer, was born in one of the bedrooms.
After 25 years of Chapman ownership, the house was sold in 1869 to Dr. Oliver P. James, a physician, who resided there
with his wife, Sara Gordon James, son Oliver, and two daughters, Martha and Sarah. Martha married the Reverend Dr.
George H. Lorah, a methodist minister, in 1896. Following the deaths of Dr. and Mrs. James and Oliver, it became the
summer home of Sarah James and the Lorahs, who spent winters at the church parsonage in Philadelphia. In later years,
Miss James lived at the Bucks County Inn but continued to maintain the family home.
The bequest of Miss James established this home as the center of V.I.A. activity. With growing membership and projects
requiring expanded facilities, an auditorium complex was added and dedication in 1964. The James-Lorah Memorial Home
is a treasured house-museum commemorating the families who have occupied it. Today it continues to contribute to the
ongoing life of the community and the Village Improvement Association.
home for 85 years of Miss Sarah M. James, a charter member of the Village Improvement Association when it was founded
in 1895. Upon her death in 1954, Miss James bequeathed the V.I.A. the 17-room residence, its contents and a trust fund for
maintenance.
The north wing was originally a saddler's shop built in the early 1800s. Abraham Chapman, a lawyer, purchased the shop
in 1813 and later gave it to his son, also a lawyer, who enlarged it for use as a law office. In 1844, Henry Chapman, by then
a judge and widowed for seven years, built for his future bride-to-be "the finest house in the borough" joining it to the law
office. A grandson, the noted Henry Chapman Mercer, was born in one of the bedrooms.
After 25 years of Chapman ownership, the house was sold in 1869 to Dr. Oliver P. James, a physician, who resided there
with his wife, Sara Gordon James, son Oliver, and two daughters, Martha and Sarah. Martha married the Reverend Dr.
George H. Lorah, a methodist minister, in 1896. Following the deaths of Dr. and Mrs. James and Oliver, it became the
summer home of Sarah James and the Lorahs, who spent winters at the church parsonage in Philadelphia. In later years,
Miss James lived at the Bucks County Inn but continued to maintain the family home.
The bequest of Miss James established this home as the center of V.I.A. activity. With growing membership and projects
requiring expanded facilities, an auditorium complex was added and dedication in 1964. The James-Lorah Memorial Home
is a treasured house-museum commemorating the families who have occupied it. Today it continues to contribute to the
ongoing life of the community and the Village Improvement Association.
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| Benefits Doylestown Hospital and the Mission of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown - a 501 (C) 3 organization |
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| Photos by Kim Billingsley Photography |
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