Enhancing the Health and Welfare
of Central Bucks County and Surrounding Communities
Previous Events
The VIA is an active organization that relies on continued member-and-community support to hold events that engage our constituents. It offers educational programs at monthly meetings and fundraising events. Consider attending a meeting, enjoying an event or lending a hand to make it all happen. Membership meetings are held monthly October through June. Each meeting begins with an information or entertaining presentation and is then followed with on overview of VIA recent and upcoming activities.
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June 18, 2022 — Happy Birthday, Henry!
June 18, 2022 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Interested in local history?
Want to see what life was like in Doylestown at the turn of the century?
Join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 to celebrate the 166th birthday of Henry Chapman Mercer and tour the historic house where he was born.
Tours are reservation only, with timed entries.
Click on the picture or click HERE to order through EventBrite.
Click HERE to view/download/print the flyer.
Please call (215) 348-2187 to make your reservations today or email JLMH-tours@VIA-Doylestown.org.
So what IS the James-Lorah Memorial Home? It was the home for 85 years of Miss Sarah Maria James, a charter member of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown, which was founded in 1895.
Upon her death in 1954, Miss James bequeathed to the VIA the 17-room residence, its contents and a trust fund for maintenance. That’s where James comes in. What about Lorah?
Sarah’s sister, Martha, married the Reverend Dr. George H. Lorah, a Methodist minister, in 1896. Following the deaths of Sarah’s and Martha’s parents, it became the summer home of Sarah James and the Lorahs. The bequest of Miss James established this home as the center of VIA activity. In her will, Miss James requested that her home be named the James-Lorah Memorial Home.
So how do we get to Mercer? On June 24, 1856, Henry Mercer was born at the James-Lorah Memorial Home which at that time was the home of his paternal grandfather, Henry Chapman. Henry Mercer was the son of Mary Chapman Mercer and William Mercer.
Now you know the history, come see those stories come to life!
Please call (215) 348-2187 to make your reservations today or email JLMH-tours@VIA-Doylestown.org.
The Village Improvment Association of Doylestown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our mission is to enhance the health and welfare of Central Bucks County and the surrounding communities.