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| James-Lorah Memorial House |
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 to the V.I.A. the
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
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.
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 to the V.I.A. the
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
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.
| The James-Lorah memorial Home is is listed in the National Register of Historic Places Doylestown Borough Walking Tour |
Village Improvement Association
of Doylestown
of Doylestown
