The Marvin House has sat on the corner of North Main Street and Fifth Street in Jamestown for 74 years, originally being built by a prominent family in the city in the 1890s.

Robert Marvin and Elizabeth Warner Marvin first moved into the house in 1898. Their engagement caused quite a stir in society circles. He was Jamestown’s most eligible bachelor. He was 45, his bride was 24.

Robert Marvin studied law and was very influential in many different organizations in the area, including the telephone company, the water company, the Chautauqua Lake Railway, the Jamestown Street Railway, and the National Chautauqua County Bank. He also was chairman of the committee that drafted the first City of Jamestown Charter. He was involved in many more organizations throughout his life, including serving as a member and president of the Lake View Cemetery Association from 1892 to 1909 and a member and president of the Prendergast Library from 1889 to 1909.

Elizabeth Warner Marvin was responsible for the Marvin House becoming a meeting place for women in the city. She was a charter member of Fortnightly, a social and literary club, the Mozart Club and the Century Art Club. She served on the boards of the Woman’s Christian Association Hospital and the Warner Home. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, joining in 1901.

Pictured is the Marvin House in about the 1900s. Submitted photo

Living across the street from the men’s only Jamestown Club, inspired Elizabeth to bequeath her home to provide for a private meeting place for the moral or mental improvement of women. Robert Marvin died in 1909 when Elizabeth Warner Marvin was 42. At the age of 72 in 1939 she prepared a will which included a provision for her home to be “a place and headquarters for societies which have in their purpose the moral improvement of women that are engaged in literary, musical, educational, patriotic, scientific and/or historical work.” This would lead into what is now the modern day Marvin House.

Elizabeth Warner Marvin died in 1950 at the age of 83. In 1951 a Board of Directors was formed and the Marvin House became the women’s meeting place Elizabeth Warner Marvin intended it to be.

Current Board of Trustees Member, June Diethrick, said the house is important for the city not only historically but architecturally. It is also good for the economy, bringing in tourism to the area.

“For 74 years we have maintained the house for a clubhouse, which is probably why it is now getting state and national attention,” Diethrick said. “We are possibly only one of the women’s clubs in the area that have lasted that many years. We are not only a club for women but our leadership is all women as well.”

Lori Savaree, who helps to manage the house, said that there used to be many more women’s clubs in town. The house offers a variety of activities these days including club meetings, bridal showers, baby showers, rehearsal dinners and small weddings. For many, the Marvin House provides companionship.

The Marvin House as it sits today on the corner of North Main Street and Fifth Street in Jamestown. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

“Our main demographic is older women, many of whom may have lost their husbands,” Savaree said. “We see them come together at our luncheons and speaker events, which involve both men and women. Some live alone and it’s nice post-Covid after dealing with that isolation that they now have a chance to get out. Our goal is to have people come together and use it as a community home.”

Diethrick said that when women join the Marvin House there is always a reason that they join, whether or not it’s because they like vintage homes or architecture or are interested in helping preserve the house. Some also have an interest in the women’s movement, the strength of women, or the house’s garden.

“We have over 100 members with 100 different reasons,” Diethrick said. “As long as there is a demand there will be programming.”

Over the years the house has had to evolve with fewer clubs, renovations and expanding the focus to a more intimate venue. There are current architectural things that need to be taken care of maintenance wise, such as inspecting the electrical system. Over the last ten years there have been items being restored outside the house, including the outside garage or barn. In the future Deithrick said the garage could become something like an air bnb. Most fundraising projects are currently spent on fixing up the inside to help it be used as a venue.

Membership wise, Savaree said they strive for membership to go from the end of June to July of the next year.

“We strive to bring in new members and reach out to the community,” Savaree said. “You used to have to be selected to be a member or have a reference from another member and we just recently opened membership up to the community. Presently, the house demands we bring in new people and keep it going.”

A lot of the older generation of their members Savaree referred to as “ceiling breakers”, living during the 70s and 80s, during the times when women were first going out into the workforce.

Membership wise, Diethrick said the house used to have around 400 members but now only have about 150. She added that it does cost money to be a member, but membership is important to be able to maintain and upkeep the house.

“It’s not for us but for the generations that go by,” Diethrick said. “It’s important for the generations to come. We have a mission but our membership is also very diverse. If you are a member here you are probably also a member of somewhere like the Salvation Army or the animal shelter. We have our tentacles everywhere.”

To learn more about the Marvin House’s programming and what else they offer visit marvinhouse.com.