This October, Friends Village will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Paxson Hall, a historic Newtown landmark that has been home to generations of older adults seeking care, companionship, and dignity in later life.
The story of Paxson Hall begins not with the building itself, but with a simple plea voiced at the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 1895. As the gathering of Quakers sat in quiet reflection, a tall Friend wearing a plain bonnet rose and expressed her concern for “homes” where older people of limited means could live safely and with dignity. Her words resonated deeply. At the time, there was no social safety net, and many widows and elderly people were left isolated and vulnerable. Quakers across the region took action, planting the seeds of what became known as the boarding home movement.
By 1897, Bucks Quarterly Meeting had organized a committee to create such a home in Newtown. They opened their first facility in the residence of Dr. Lettie A. Smith, Newtown’s first female physician. Dr. Smith not only offered her house but also became one of the home’s first residents. The need, however, quickly outgrew the modest building.
That is when retired Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward M. Paxson stepped in. A lifelong Friend raised in Buckingham, Judge Paxson had both the means and the will to ensure the project’s success. In 1899, he purchased land on South Congress Street, commissioned local builder Garret B. Girton and architect Edwin F. Bertolett, and oversaw construction of a new facility. Built of Newtown brownstone, topped with a slate roof and stone chimneys, Paxson Hall was designed to be a lasting gift to the community.
“Judge Paxson was very generous,” said Jeff Marshall, a member of the Newtown Historic Association. “He paid for the construction of Paxson Hall as a tribute to his parents. People think it was named for him, but it was really in their honor.”
The building opened in 1900 as Friends Boarding Home of Bucks Quarterly Meeting. Its mission was clear: to provide a congenial, affordable, and caring environment for older Friends and others “in sympathy with us.” At its start, about 13 residents moved from Dr. Smith’s home into the new hall, where they were cared for by a resident matron.
From the beginning, Paxson Hall stood out. It was one of the first buildings in Newtown to have electricity and a telephone, and by 1918, it had an elevator—an unusual feature in a small town at the time. The home charged $3 to $4 per week and an entrance fee of $50, making it accessible to older adults of modest means.
Over time, Friends Boarding Home expanded to meet changing needs. In the 1960s, cottages were added behind Paxson Hall to provide independent living for retirees who wanted autonomy but also community support. By the 1980s, Friends Village grew again when Darlington and Helen Styer donated their home and land on Lower Dolington Road, creating what is now the Styer Campus.
“We are one of the few boarding homes that has remained in operation since that time,” explained Chiyo Moriuchi, CEO and Executive Director of Friends Village. “Many of the others either closed, became grant-making organizations, or evolved into very large continuing care communities. Friends Village has stayed true to its roots, still small, still community-focused, still committed to accessibility.”
Today, Friends Village encompasses two campuses: Paxson Hall and the surrounding cottages in the heart of Newtown, and the Styer Campus with apartments in a more rural, park-like setting. Together, they serve about 61 residents. Personal care services are offered at Paxson Hall, while both campuses provide options for independent living.
Friends Village now welcomes people of all backgrounds. “In 1900, most of the residents were Quakers,” said Moriuchi. “Today, that’s not the case. But the spirit of openness, inclusivity, and community remains the same.”
That sense of community is what continues to draw residents. “We are small enough that people really know one another,” Moriuchi said. “We have long-tenured staff who care deeply about the residents, and research shows that relationships, having people who notice if you show up to a meal or not, are one of the most important contributors to health and well-being.”
Jeff Marshall notes that Paxson Hall also holds a significant place in Newtown’s history. “It was built almost entirely with local labor and materials,” he said. “It’s a landmark not just because of its purpose, but because it represents the craftsmanship and generosity of this town at the turn of the 20th century.”
As Friends Village looks to the future, its mission continues to evolve. In recent years, the organization has placed new emphasis on wellness, purpose, and community engagement, while still ensuring affordability for older adults of modest means. “We want people to know that we are an asset to the community,” Moriuchi said. “We provide a caring, accessible, and supportive place for people to live independently, with just enough help to thrive.”
“It’s remarkable to think that this building has been continuously used for 125 years to care for older adults,” said Moriuchi. “It began with a single concern voiced at a Quaker meeting, and it has grown into a lasting community where people feel at home. That’s something worth celebrating.”
The anniversary gala will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Paxson Hall, 50 South Congress Street, Newtown. Guests will enjoy live music from a band playing period tunes, delicious food, dancing, and a historical “comedy mystery tour” through the halls of the building. While not required, attendees are encouraged to wear historic attire from 1900 to help bring the past to life. A large tent will be set up outside to accommodate dining and festivities, making it a community-wide celebration of history, care, and connection.
The event also serves as a fundraiser to support necessary improvements to Paxson Hall so that Friends Village may continue its mission of providing accessible, community-based living for older adults. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Friends Village website at www.friends-village.org/.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or to share your own stories and photographs from Paxson Hall’s history, please contact Melissa Victor at mvictor@friends-village.org or call 215-968-3346.
