The Senior Center Turns 50

Vibrant, Vital & En Vogue

2010 is a milestone year for the Senior Center—we turn 50 and have finally come of age to join the ranks of our lively membership!

This is a benchmark that only about 200 senior centers nationwide have reached, as well as only a handful of nonprofit organizations in our community. To celebrate, the Center will host events and programs throughout the year of varying interest, cost, and scope, open not just to our members, but also our community.

How it all began:

On that fateful February 14, 1960, the University League (now the Junior League of Charlottesville) opened the Center’s doors in a small, rented space downtown. Just 25 hearty souls were members at the time, but it didn’t take long for word to get out. Membership increased drastically, necessitating moves to successively larger accommodations.

By the 1980s it was apparent that the Center needed its own space and leaders began the search that resulted in a successful building campaign and our facility at 1180 Pepsi Place. From day one in our new home—September 11, 1991—the Center’s membership and community relationships have grown, evolving and flourishing in myriad ways.