About us

Our History: Olivedale Senior Center Since 1972

Welcome to Olivedale Senior Center — a living memorial to Olive and Dale Schurtz, generous Lancaster residents who bequeathed their home and property to the City of Lancaster for a park named Olivedale Park.

In 1972 the “Young At Heart” senior group petitioned the Park Board to use the Schurtz home for meetings. The house, named Olivedale Senior Center, became a popular meeting place — and this makes Olivedale Senior Center a part of the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department.

Olivedale Senior Citizens formed in 1972 with 577 charter members. Olivedale Senior Citizens of Fairfield County, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was incorporated in 1975. That same year the first addition was built to accommodate the growing membership by adding a banquet room upstairs and recreational and meeting rooms below.

A second addition in 1998 doubled the first floor capacity, and a wellness center was added to the basement including a fitness room, locker rooms and a warm water exercise pool.

A growing membership

The center has over 3,000 members who are advancing in age, finding fellowship and making new friends while learning new skills and having a lot of fun.

Portrait of Olive Schurtz and her husband Dale Schurtz
Olive and Dale Schurtz, whose home became Olivedale.

Milestones

  • 1972 — Center founded with 577 charter members
  • 1975 — Incorporated as a 501(c)(3); first addition built
  • 1998 — Second addition and wellness center
  • 2006 — Kitchen renovated
  • Today — More than 3,000 members

Through the years

  • The original Schurtz home, the first Olivedale Senior Center
    The original Schurtz home.
  • The center after the first building addition in the 1970s
    After the first addition.
  • The center after the second addition completed in the fall of 1998
    After the second addition, 1998.
  • Members making jelly at the first Olivedale fundraiser
    The first fundraiser: making jelly.
The Olivedale kitchen after its 2006 renovation
The kitchen after its 2006 renovation.

The Kitchen

In 2006 the thirty-two-year-old kitchen was renovated, enabling members to cook with updated appliances and more elbow room.

Today angel food cakes and egg noodles are a popular specialty from Olivedale.

Kitchen staff working at the noodle making machine
Kitchen volunteers at the noodle making machine.