The historic Sellersville and West Rockhill in Upper Bucks County, known for their joint management of Holiday House, have transformed a summer retreat with a rich heritage into a thriving recreational center, writes Carl LaVO for the Bucks County Courier Times.  

Originally a sanctuary for impoverished women and children from Philadelphia, the site now features a public swimming pool and playground. 

Holiday House began in the late 1800s as a philanthropic venture by Philadelphia’s Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity. The church established a Fresh Air fund to provide vacations for those affected by the industrial pollution of inner-city Philadelphia. By 1895, the church had constructed a 35-room Queen Anne-style manor on nearly 16 acres to accommodate visitors. 

Throughout the early 20th century, as many as 60 visitors would enjoy two-week stays each summer, engaging in activities such as hayrides, woodland strolls, and creek splashing. The retreat’s popularity helped to fund additional amenities like an outdoor chapel and a recreation hall. 

However, by the mid-1960s, funding waned, and in 1969, the property was sold to local authorities. The manor house was demolished in 1975, and other structures eventually followed, with a public swimming pool introduced in 1970.  

Today, the Holiday House Recreation Center continues to serve the community, providing a variety of outdoor activities and seeking donations.  

Read more about the history of the Holiday House Recreation Center in Sellersville in the Bucks County Courier Times.

Sellersville/Perkasie PA