Our organization began with a community vision—the need for a local hospital in Abington. In 1912, there was a call to raise funds to establish the hospital, and women in the surrounding communities gathered together to answer that call. Three key founding members were instrumental in bringing this vision to life: Mrs. Charles Kruger, the first president of the Women’s Board, who worked diligently to create community support in all the surrounding neighborhoods of the hospital; Natalie Fox Elkins, the wife of Abington Memorial Hospital’s first president, George Elkins, Jr., who served as “the eyes and ears” for identifying hospital needs and was an honorary second Vice President of the Women’s Board throughout her lifetime; and Louise Elkins Sinkler, daughter of Abington Memorial Hospital founder George Elkins, Sr., who dedicated more than 60 years of service to the Women’s Board. Through their skillful organization of early fundraising efforts and securing community donations, Abington Memorial Hospital opened in May of 1914 with all patient amenities in place.

The June Fete Fair’s humble beginnings took the form of street fairs, lawn fetes, and holiday bazaars held to raise funds for the hospital opening. In 1913, the Women’s Auxiliary voted to use their past successes as a basis for creating a major annual fundraising event. The Elkins family generously offered their estate as a location for a June event.

The 1913, Garden Party Fair must have been a sight to behold: the sweeping landscape of the Elkins Estate, Latham Park, complete with beautiful English gardens, manicured lawns and festive booths; both coaches and “new-fangled” cars streaming through the gate and up the long drive as patrons arrived; ladies in lawn dresses with fancy umbrellas, men in bowler hats, and children brimming with excitement; booths offering fresh produce, flower marts, and games; the terrace of the mansion set for refreshments and afternoon tea.

The annual Garden Party Fair continued with new attractions added each year. In 1918, Mrs. George Horace Lorimer volunteered to be chairman. She introduced the idea of an annual theme and was responsible for the name “the June Fete.” She served as chairman for 16 years and dedicated herself to elevating the June Fete into a lavish East Coast event, attracting patronage from around the country.