In 1906, ten years after its inception, the Thursday Morning Club - parent and operator of the Madison Community House - changed its original mission from a lecture group to a service organization. Plans to provide a recreational center, a combination day nursery/ kindergarten and adult meeting place necessitated a physical structure. The first "Settlement House" was simply a rented room in a house at 113 Park Avenue at the corner of North St.

As Madison's settlement needs expanded, larger quarters were rented in the old Brittin homestead at 36 Main Street - today the site of Prima's storefront. By 1916, there were twelve classes including sewing, dancing, English and music. A Mother's Club met in the evening for sewing, The House also served as an employment agency and distributing depot. A kindergarten was held each morning. This eventually became a part of the public school curriculum.

In December of 1923, a survey was taken to determine the need for a larger, permanent "Settlement House". A lot was purchased from the Isaac and Kate VandeWater's property on Cook Avenue. On December 5, 1924 our current location at 25 Cook Ave was opened for inspection.

All this was made possible through the generosity of one Mary Brown Cash. She had moved to Madison in 1907 and became very active in the Thursday Morning Club following the death of her husband in 1910. Upon her death in 1919, a bequest in her will provided the funds to "....erect a structure for social settlement work in the Borough of Madison when such work shall be undertaken by the Thursday Morning Club..." On May 13, 1925, a plaque was dedicated to the memory of Mary Brown Cash. It still hangs in our hallway today. We are also indebted to Mary Brown Cash's nephew, S. Frank Palmer who left a bequest in his will which rescued the club from financial ruin during the depression.

In 1925, the Green Door Players, purchased a sliver of land in back of the house, presented the deed to the Thursday Morning Club and enlarged the backstage. During depression years, of the 1930's, the house assisted transients with meal tickets; food and clothing were collected and distributed, and baths were available for 5 cents.

In 1952, the House became affiliated with the Community Chest -forerunner of the United Way. The General Federation of Women's Clubs informed the Club by letter, in 1953, that as far as their records showed, Thursday Morning Club was the only women's club in the United States to own and operate a settlement house. In 1957, the Settlement House was renamed the Madison Community House as it is known today.

Our Nursery School which offers classes to 3 and 4 year old children was established in 1960. The Rose Wing, added in 1966, features a kitchen and storage room, a reception room and a conference/activity room. It was financed by a legacy from Nellie K and Lenox Sheaf Rose. Our beloved George Burroughs became director in 1968 and remained so until his death in 1995.

After school classes were started in 1972. They offered the grammar school children an opportunity to learn sewing, arts and crafts, cooking, needle craft, and rhythm band. These classes continue to be an integral part of our educational commitment. In addition Merlin's Minstrels offer music/choir for children.

In 1988, the Thursday Morning Club utilized the space in the Rose Wing Conference Room and opened an adult day care center called TIME OUT. There was such a demand for the service that it quickly outgrew our facility and moved to its own location in Madison. Today it operates under the auspices of Family Services of Morris County.

1999 brought many exciting new activities to the House. The Thursday Morning Club purchased the adjoining property at 27 Cook Avenue which expanded our Nursery School playground and improved our parking lot. In addition, in June of 1999, the House became the distribution site for the National Program called "DRESS FOR SUCCESS" which provides gently used work-appropriate clothing for clients returning to the work force. It is a not-for-profit organization.

In January, 2000 the Community House became the sponsor/operator of the Before and After School Child Care Program (BASCC). The purpose of the program is to support parents of children attending the elementary schools in the Borough by providing quality child care beyond the normal school hours. The program is operated on a not-for-profit basis.

Today the Madison Community House is still owned and operated by the Thursday Morning Club and continues to provide educational and cultural programs, meeting space and recreational activities for the benefit of all residents in Madison and the surrounding communities.