The Langhorne Community Memorial Association was formed in 1919 and chartered on April 30, 1921. The members consisted of Alfred Wildman, Arthur Townsend, Edward Osterhout, Samuel Ridge, M.D., Horace Mitchell, Charles Mathews, Henry Palmer, William Parry, Walter Shaw, Clarence J. Buckman and Henry Watson. Following the death of Mary Richardson, the last Richardson to live in the house, Alfred Wildman purchased the property for $6500.00. A year later he deeded the property for $1.00 and “other considerations” to the Memorial Association. In addition, community members donated funds for the purchase of additional property and to make improvements to the building. The Memorial Association continues to own the property.
The Association’s Charter states that the building is to be “A Community Memorial to the men of the war services of the United States, the men and women of the Langhorne Branch of the Southeastern Chapter of the . . . Red Cross, and the men and women of all other organizations who patriotically contributed their time and resources at the Nation’s call during the Great War, and to be used for the holding of meetings, receptions, fairs, suppers and other forms of entertainment for patriotic, public and civic purposes…” A plaque honoring those who served during the War was placed on the eastern wall of the building. The names include not only those of the men who served in the military but also those of women who had military roles, nurses from the local Red Cross, doctors, and pastors. Three are listed as having been killed in battle: Frances Franklin, Jesse W. Soby and Russell S. Tomlinson.
Today, a committee of nine members, five from Langhorne Borough, and one each from Langhorne Manor, Penndel, Hulmeville and Middletown Township, oversees the building and the Association. The Memorial Association has been honored by the Washington Crossing Questers organization and the Washington Crossing Chapter of The Daughters of The American Revolution for its preservation of this historic house.
The Memorial Park is also owned by the Association. However, since 1921 it has been leased to Langhorne Borough to be a public space. The Four Lanes End Garden Club helps maintain the grounds. The Park is open to visitors and as a place for children to play. Langhorne Borough Business Association holds bi-weekly concerts in the park starting the end of May.
The Association is funded by income from the Peace Center which rents the second floor, a small endowment, and from community donations. The Four Lanes End Garden Club helps maintain the gardens.
Richardson House 