Nathan James Homestead becomes the YMCA. A Revolutionary War veteran, Nathan James built his stone house in 1807 on his wife’s family’s land. His son, John D. James, succeeded his father in ownership in 1842, the same year that the “new state road” passed through the farm. Starting in 1867, the 119-acre property went through multiple owners, the acreage divided with each transaction. Renovations and an addition were made to the house circa 1869, featuring a new kitchen in the rear and a new porch in front. The farm also included a frame barn with stone stabling and an attached wagon house. In 1913, the stone house and 7.5 acres were purchased by W. Atlee Burpee. Known as “Twin Ash,” the property remained in the Burpee family until 1973 when it was sold to the Central Bucks YMCA.
In 1979, the YMCA opened a $1.6 million structure, designed by local architect Lynn Taylor, at 2500 Lower State Road next to the old Nathan James farmhouse. The following year the old house, which served as administrative headquarters for the new Central Bucks Family YMCA, was renovated inside and out.
In 1991 the “Y” acquired another piece of the James farm, known as the Gabriel Tract. This acreage, located along the existing southern boundary and fronting on Lower State Road was purchased for the Y’s “future expansion of its facilities in one consolidated location.” The administrative offices moved into the main building in 2010 and the stone house is now used as the main location for the facilities team and for storage.
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