Whenever I lead a tour of the Manor and Lodge, the opportunity arises to tell the history of the Olmsted family and the story of the estate becoming a retreat center. Depending on how much detail and how much time a group wants to spend, the story can take quite a while to tell. Questions often are asked that can send the story in any number of directions. It is easy to get a little off the subject, but that adds to the conversations and the learning.

Many of the people who come to visit often know some stories we have not heard. They willingly share those with us and they add to the richness of the tales as it continues to enfold.  This place has so many interesting and unique features, that it seems that there is something of interest to almost everyone.

Olmsted is 40 years old as a retreat center and add to that the 65 years the Olmsted family lived in or near Ludlow, and you have over 100 years of history. Visitors have asked us, do you have all this written down? At the present we do not, but that would be a great reason for a sabbatical leave.

During the years that Olmsted has been a retreat center there have been three executive directors who have been instrumental in setting the course and developing the facilities to what they are today. The first resident director was the Rev. Herbert Boyd and his wife Roberta. Herb and Roberta came to Ludlow in 1970 when the retreat ministry began. They could not have chosen a better couple to administrate and care for the property. Their love of camping ministry and gifts for hospitality really set the bar for those who followed. In 1977, the Rev. James Legro and his family moved to Ludlow from the New York Conference. Jim and Phyllis continued where the Boyds left off while redesigning the programming and lending a progressive approach to the ministry. This allowed the board of directors to expand the ministry and program offerings. Jim hired me in the spring of 1979.  Then in the fall of 1979, the Rev. John Miller and his wife Diane came to Olmsted. With three young children in tow, what otherwise was intended to be an interim year flourished into twenty one years of service. Many things were accomplished while John was director.  Among them were capital improvements, strategic planning, WPA Conference connections, and incorporation of the retreat center. By this time the evolution was really beginning to blossom. I followed John as the fourth director and the first layman to hold the position. I feel very fortunate to have known and had a personal relationship with all the former directors.

Throughout these 40 years Olmsted has been a place of quiet, secluded beauty for people to come and get away. Retreat groups and individuals from Methodist churches in western PA have returned over and over again, forming a bond with this place and relationships with our staff. Many other denominations frequent our facility as well, for much the same reasons. The common thread for all is seeking a deeper meaning in their faith, lives, and in their relationship with Christ.

Our role in all of this has been to provide Christian hospitality in a hostile world. It is a very simple yet profound vision on which we base everything we do. Someone said, “the more things change, the more they remain the same.”  Certainly a lot has changed since 1969 for Olmsted Manor. Buildings have come and gone. Programs have covered a variety of subject matter. Directors and staff have served, worked, moved on, and retired, all leaving their unique imprint on this ministry. Everything eventually changes. One thing has remained the same as time has moved on, and that is the ministry of hospitality that continues to guide our purpose, for without a clear purpose and vision our efforts would all be for nothing.   

In closing, it feels good to reflect on the thirty years that have been mine to enjoy here at Olmsted. While looking to the future we shall keep in mind these verses from 1 Peter which say; “Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen”

Blessings,

Jody Z. Larson
 

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To support Olmsted Manor send your gift to:

"Friends of Olmsted"

Olmsted Manor Retreat Center

PO Box 8

Ludlow, PA 16333