HISTORY

The rich history of  Holiday House began in 1867 as the Baltimore House.  Years later, the property
became a retreat house for the Sisters of St. Margaret, an Episcopal order from the Germantown
section of Philadelphia, PA.  On October 27, 1930, The Girls' Friendly Society of Pennsylvania
(GFS/PA) bought the building with the intent to also use it as a retreat house.   

The values found at Holiday House mirror the deep rooted values in the Girls’ Friendly Society.  Mary
Elizabeth Townsend founded Girls’ Friendly Society in England on January 1, 1875 at the age of 24.
During this era, women had no recognized power in society and very little influence in the Anglican
Church.  Routinely, Girls’ between the ages of 11 and 14 who lived in poor families were sent to work
in industry or as servants at wealthy houses.  The Girls’ Friendly Society offered Christian fellowship
to young female mill workers who were separated from their family. The motto of the society is “Bear
ye one another’s’ burdens” (Galatians 6:2).  

In the United States, Elizabeth Mason, a rector’s daughter from St Anne’s Church in Lowell,
Massachusetts was the key to the origin of the American side of Girls’ Friendly Society.  The need to
provide comfort and support to Girls’ who were forced to leave home to find jobs spurred Elizabeth to
organize the first American branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society in 1877.  The organization grew, and
by the late 1800’s, GFS members’ assisted young women entering this country by providing housing
and helping them find jobs.

In 1881, the first GFS diocese of PA was established at the Calvary Church in Germantown section of
Philadelphia, PA.  At an annual council meeting in 1893, it was decided that Pennsylvania and New
Jersey Societies should unite and purchase a boarding house in Atlantic City.  In 1894, Holiday
House was opened in Atlantic City.  Shortly thereafter, it was decided that Atlantic City was not a good
location so the Dioceses separated.  In 1896, Pennsylvania bought its first summer vacation house at
615 Hughes Street, Cape May, NJ which it occupied until 1911, when the larger house was
purchased at 644 Hughes Street.

In the early 1900’s the Girls’ Friendly Society had 21 Holiday Houses and 14 lodges in multiple
States.  Today, the only remaining house is our beloved Holiday House in Cape May, New Jersey.
                      Getting Involved in the Future

The Girls' Friendly Society (GFS) is an international
non-profit organization affiliated with the Episcopal
Church and is open to girls ages from 5 to 21 of any race,
religion or nationality.  GFS is dedicated to
supporting and nurturing young women
and girls with positive guidance from adult
leaders through worship, service, recreation
and study.

If you are interested in becoming a GFS Leader and would like
more information about starting a GFS branch in your area
contact the GFS Diocesan President at
GFS/PAPres@verizon.net.

                    If you
have or believe you can offer support to the
organization as a volunteer or in making a
financial contribution contact GFS/PA                                    
Sponsor Chair at GFS/PASponsors@comcast.net.
Holiday House and GFS
Letters to Holiday
House Management.
"It was my first time at
Holiday House in Cape
May and I was not the
only one.  It's like a kid's
paradise.  There were
many places to see
there.







The things that I say
were outstanding like
the beach, the mall,
the boardwalk, and
especially Holiday
House.  At the beach, I
saw surfers, kites,
horseshoe crabs,
jellyfish, and seashells.  
It was very beautiful
there.  At the mall, we
saw clothes and toy
stores, and a big bell.

When I went to the
boardwalk I saw the
arcade, the Cheese
Cake Factory, the
Fudge Factory, a beach
store, and concert hall.  
Holiday House was the
big finale.

Junior Week '07 was a
lot of fun.  We did many
things and met new
people and you would
like it too.  I learned
how to live with a
roommate, to be a
proper lady, to obey
rules, and to care for
one another."

Signed: Miah