Our Organization’s History
Colonial House, Inc. was founded to provide a transitional supportive and therapeutic environment in a home-like setting for male’s seeking recovery from their addiction to substances. Colonial House was originally located in a stone farmhouse at Pleasant Acres in east York in 1969. The original building housed 8 residents.
In May 1978, Colonial House moved to a larger facility which also included two houses on a four-acre setting in West York. Colonial House, Inc., then expanded capacity to 18 males. In 1980 Colonial House began to accept female residents in its second house.
In April of 1992, after a fire, Colonial House was forced to rebuild. In August of 1992, Colonial House dedicated the new Building to house 45 clients. At that time, it became a coed facility holding room for 12 women and 33 men.
Colonial House then opened its doors to provide outpatient services in 2004 in the Manor building which previously was the residential program. In July 2006, the need for the outpatient program to become self-sustaining was identified. In 2007 the outpatient program moved to a small building at 15 South Pershing in downtown York. Shortly thereafter, it was obvious that we would outgrow that space, and the search for larger office space began. In 2012, we purchased property at 1 East market Street, Suites #202 and #203, where we continue to provide outpatient services.
During fiscal year 2015, it was becoming increasingly obvious, that we needed to discontinue admitting women to the residential facility at the Woodberry location. We instead decided to begin to seek an additional location where we could serve women exclusively. Therefore, we purchased a property at 924 West Market Street in September 2016 and began renovations. DDAP licensure was received and the female program was scheduled to open December 2017.
On December 5, 2017, the male facility experienced a devastating fire which resulted in the building being a total loss and unusable. The men were transferred to the unopened female program and services were continued at this site for 16 male clients as renovations took place at the Woodberry Road location. We were able to reopen the Woodberry Road location in February 2019.
Through all the obstacles and challenges we’ve had; Colonial House continues to help the lives of those impacted by substance abuse addiction. We continue to make plans to expand and ensure that the history of Colonial House continues.
