News and Events
175th Anniversary in 2009
At 10:00 am on Saturday, November 21, St. Joseph's Villa officially recognized its 175th Anniversary. Founded in 1834 by the Daughters of Charity, the Villa is one of the largest continuously operating children's nonprofits in the United States. The Anniversary celebration ceremony included reflections by Sister Betty Ann McNeil, who was one of the last sisters to serve at the Villa. (The Daughters of Charity withdrew from the Villa in 1977.) The ceremony also included a showing of the Villa's "A History of Believing" video, and presentations of resolutions from the United States House of Representatives, the Virginia General Assembly and various localities which partner with the Villa in delivering services to at-risk youth.
Following the ceremony, the Villa's cottages were open for tours. Several historic artifacts were on display, and the Children's Museum of Richmond provided a variety of children's activities. Bishop Emeritus Walter Sullivan concluded the day with Mass in the Villa chapel.
During the festivities, St.Joseph's Villa also unveiled a "coffee table" book celebrating its 175-year history. Written by George Bruner and published by Wayne Dementi, the book includes several chapters on the Villa's history, numerous photographs of "Villa life" and descriptions of current Villa programs. Copies of the book may be purchased for $30. (For information on how to purchase a book, please click HERE.
If you would like to be kept apprised of events at St. Joseph's Villa, please call Brenda Savage at (804) 200-1616 to make sure you are on our list. You also may send her an email by clicking HERE.
Villa Alumni Return!
ISt. Joseph's Villa welcomed back hundreds of alumni, family members and friends to Reunion 2008, a celebration of the Villa's past. The reunion took place from June 27-29, 2008 at the Villa campus.
The weekend began with a reception on Friday evening. On Saturday, there was a formal "welcoming" ceremony, followed by OpenHouses at each of the Villa's cottages (which now host services provided by the Villa). Lunch was served at noon, and David Lydiard, former resident and current Villa Trustee, was recognized as the first recipient of the Villa's Distinguished Alumni Award. Afternoon free time (and fellowship) was follwed by Mass at 4:00 pm in the Villa's chapel. The Villa Alumni Society (comprised of former residents) had a "sock hop" after dinner and then got together for coffee the next morning.
During the reunion, many alumni brought back photographs from their personal collections. These photographs were scanned for possible inclusion in a book being written about the Villa's first 175 years. The book will be published in November 2009, in conjunction with the celebration of the Villa's reaching this important milestone.
We have produced a photo album from the reunion weekend. If you would like to download a PDF of the photo album, please click HERE.
Thank you for helping us keep you involved with St. Joseph's Villa.
