Camp is no longer in operation

History of camp

Lillian Taylor Camp began in 1902 when Charles Taylor, a member of Kingsley's Board and an association of Andrew Carnegie, purchased sixty-five acres of farmland in Valencia, Pennsylvania and permitted Kingsley to use it as a fresh-air farm. Ground was broken in February 1903 for the "Lillian Home" building. The "fresh-air farm" was opened for the first time on June 17, 1903 with a capacity of 60 "guests". "On May 14, 1907, Mr. Taylor deeded the Valencia estate to Kingsley and later established the Valencia Property Endowment to help Kingsley meet the expenses of maintenance and expansion" (Kingsley 1968 Anniversary booklet). The property bears the names "Lillian Taylor" in honor of Mr. Taylor's wife and daughter (Mrs. Albert E. Savage).

For many years, the property was knows as "Lillian Home" and was used as a fresh air farm - mothers and children were taken from the congested neighborhoods in the city to spend time in the "country". By 1926, the "Lillian Home" season consisted for five twelve-day parties of 250.

Additional acres were purchased over the years. 28 acres in 1904. 10 acres in 1909. The most recent purchase of 53 acres was made in 1973 which brought the total acreage to 147. Today, the camp covers 110 acres.

On May 8, 1915, Kingsley dedicated "Lillian Rest", a convalescent hospital in the building now owned by St. Barnabas and operated as Valencia Woods Nursing Home. The "Rest" was opened for its first patients, on an experimental basis in December 1914. Care was provided for women and children who were recuperating from illness or malnutrition. Charles Taylor, then president of Kingsley Association was also the principal donor of the Lillian Rest building.

The Valencia property was known as the "Lillian Home" until 1950. Kingsley Association operated the Valencia property as a residential camp through the summer of 1973. The camp was closed completely for the summer of 1974. Three of the old main buildings were torn down that year. A fourth was burned down as a "training project" for the Valencia Volunteer Fire Department.

The camp re-opened in the summer of 1975 and operated as a day camp for Pittsburgh area children.

The Camp was sold in 2005.

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