By Thomas Wilcox, Executive Director of Roxborough Home for Women
Always wondered about that beautiful old mansion and lovely rolling grounds on Leverington Street just to the east of the center of Roxborough?
Maybe you saw the sign out front that reads “Roxborough Home?” Do you know what goes on at that stately Victorian manor?
For more than 138 years, the Roxborough Home for Women has quietly and faithfully carried out a mission rooted in dignity, compassion, and community.
Founded in 1887, the nonprofit, charitable 501(c)(3) personal care home continues to provide safe, supportive, and affordable housing for senior women of limited financial means — many of whom would otherwise have few options for stable care and community.
Located at 601 Leverington Avenue, the Roxborough Home for Women is both a neighborhood landmark and a place of refuge.
Designed by the famed Philadelphia architectural firm Furness, Evans and Company under the leadership of iconic architect Frank Furness, the Victorian mansion has served generations of women since its earliest days.
Volunteer Kara helps facilitate some chair stretching as part of an overall approach to stimulate both mind and body. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
Volunteers from the PCOM Psychiatry Club help set the lasses up for a round of Bingo. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
Santa, aka Church of the Saviour, brought plenty of good cheer and gifts to help brighten the Christmas season. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
Shirley, Joanna, and Lucille were pleased as punch with their Christmas Bounty. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
A tip of the cap to the venerated Sam Gorgas who got the ball rolling on the Home through his will. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Show Caption
1 of 5
Volunteer Kara helps facilitate some chair stretching as part of an overall approach to stimulate both mind and body. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
Commissioned and funded by Roxborough native Samuel Gorgas, and supported by well-known Philadelphia families including Shipley, Rittenhouse, Levering, and Bunting, the Home was originally established as the Roxborough Home for Widows and Indigent Women.
Today, the Home continues that founding vision by providing permanent supportive housing, daily personal care, nutritious meals, social enrichment, and a true sense of belonging for between 18 and 26 low-income senior women.
Approximately two-thirds of the cost of each resident’s care is underwritten through charitable support, allowing vulnerable women to age with care and dignity regardless of their financial circumstances.
The idyllic front entrance harkens back to a glorious era of architecture and craftsmanship. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
Over the past year, the Roxborough Home for Women has experienced challenges, changes, and cherished moments of joy—each underscoring the strength of its mission and the generosity of the surrounding community.
First, the challenges.
In 2025, the Home faced a series of unplanned and unavoidable needs for repairs, renovations, and restoration projects.
The beloved, two-storied original, Victorian porch began to exhibit signs of deterioration and need for immediate attention and repairs.
Concomitant to that, the front, main waterline experienced a leak, and an unexpected vehicle accident damaged a portion of its historic perimeter wall, a structure nearly as old as the building itself.
Construction work continues on the aging rear porch infrastructure, which is getting a much needed facelift. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
In addition, the aging, common bathrooms need major construction and upgrading, and the Home is desperately in need of removing individual window units and installing central air conditioning.
All these events call for broader restoration planning, further highlighting the ongoing responsibility of caring for a 19th-century architectural treasure.
Involved with that planning is creating a capital expense budget to help prepare for all these expensive programs.
In addition, creative development and fundraising efforts are being created to help finance all these expenditures.
This includes seeking grant money and donations from the public.
As restoration and preservation efforts continue, the Home is actively learning more about its original construction and how best to honor the building’s architectural legacy while ensuring safety, comfort, and sustainability for its residents.
Despite these challenges, the past year has been marked by new changes in improving not only how the Home cares for the ladies, but also celebrate, connect, and renew the community’s engagement.
Seasonal programs and special events brought neighbors, volunteers, and supporters through the doors of the Home, filling its halls with warmth and laughter.
Residents and Board members were tickled pink with the arrival of a new van courtesy of the Sandra C. Lesser Charitable Fund. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
Recently appointed Executive Director Thomas Wilcox, who is an avid Philly sports fan, has a blue ribbon resume to go along with his prodigious work ethic. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Show Caption
1 of 2
Residents and Board members were tickled pink with the arrival of a new van courtesy of the Sandra C. Lesser Charitable Fund. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
The inaugural “Santa’s Seniors” program during the holiday season was a particular highlight, as community members “adopted” residents by providing personalized gifts that brought genuine joy and reassurance to the women who call the Home theirs.
Change has also come to the staff and the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors recognized the past contributions of its retiring Board President, Joan Kaczmar and welcomed the future contributions of its new President, Linda Fiore.
The Board continued with new developments by hiring its first Executive Director, Thomas Wilcox, who joined the current, somewhat new, administrator, Athenae Evans, to manage the operations, facilities, and development work needed to address all the challenges and help the Board initiate change.
Volunteers have continued to play an essential role in enriching daily life at the Home—assisting with activities, companionship, celebrations, and special programs designed to foster connection and purpose.
From holiday gatherings, porch teas, exercise classes, and birthday recognitions to musical visits and shared meals, these moments reflect the Home’s belief that care extends far beyond meeting basic needs.
New volunteers added to the Home’s rooster, helped bring refreshing new enhancements and changes to the Home’s programs and the ladies’ lives.
The Home encourages social interaction through a wide variety of activities such as the women’s tea. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)
The Home has joined in partnerships with local religious institutions, like Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA, to welcome new volunteers who donate their time to collect and deliver Christmas gifts, needed supplies, and run Bingo games (the ladies LOVE Bingo!).
The Roxborough Home for Women has also entered a period of thoughtful growth and renewed leadership, with an emphasis on transparency, communication, and community presence.
Regular updates, stories, and photos are shared through the organization’s website and Facebook page, offering a window into everyday life at the Home and the women whose stories are at the heart of its mission.
As it looks toward the future, the Roxborough Home for Women remains firmly grounded in its past — steadfast in its commitment to serve senior women with compassion, respect, and excellence.
In a city that is constantly evolving, this historic institution stands as a reminder that some things endure: kindness, community, and the belief that every life deserves to be valued.
To learn more about the Roxborough Home for Women, its history, and ongoing work, visit www.roxboroughhomeforwomen.com and follow the Home on Facebook at facebook.com/roxboroughhomeforwomen.