Chatham County Aging Services, following the illustrious history of the Chatham County Council on Aging, was founded July 1, 2023. The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted to transition the former nonprofit into a department within Chatham County government in 2022, acknowledging explosive growth within the older adult population.

The Chatham County Council on Aging was founded on July 8, 1974, by Mattie Paige, Lacy D. Marsh and Charlie Baldwin. Long-time Chatham County residents remember Lacy Marsh from her days teaching at J.S. Waters School and Charlie Baldwin as a political leader in the county.

The first members of the Board of Directors were Paul Alston, Lillie Lee, Novia Jordan, Mattie Paige, Clementine Strowd, John Cooper, Mary Lindley, Billie Rogers, Marietta Subart, Ben Wimberly, Charlie Baldwin, R.G. Bryant, Earl Dark, Laura Lee, Minter Hadley and Lacy B. Marsh. Lacy Marsh was the original president. The first budget was $10,000, and the offices were housed in Pittsboro in the Farm and Home Organization building located between the Courthouse and Horton School on Sanford Road. The agency hired a service coordinator and received operating funds from the Federal Older Americans Act of 1965 through a contract with Triangle J Council of Governments.

In 1978, the Council on Aging moved into the Hill House on Rectory Street. John London, a lead supporter of the Episcopal Church, reached an agreement with agency officials that the Hill House could be renovated and used for offices through a rent-free lease. Approximately $40,000 and many hours of volunteer labor were invested in the renovation, and the new offices were occupied. Services offered included information and referral, home repair, volunteer transportation, support for senior citizen clubs and telephone reassurance.

The original mission was “to promote the independence and dignity of our older adults and to help them remain healthy, secure and involved in their own homes and community as long as possible.”

That mission has changed very little over the years. Today, Chatham County Aging Services owns and operates two senior centers, both certified by the State of North Carolina as "Centers of Excellence."  We annually provide more than 31,000 meals, 27,000 hours of in-home aide, two fitness rooms and daily exercise programs, health and disease self-management sessions, numerous interest issues groups and caregiver support programs, and a full schedule of social and recreational opportunities, including a hiking club.

There are currently 23 full and part-time employees and approximately 250 dedicated volunteers who donate 10,000 hours annually.