Lula W. Dorsey

Lula W. Dorsey was born Christmas Day, 1898, in Oak Cliff, Texas.  She grew up in Dallas and graduated from Oak Cliff High School in 1917.  She attended Southern Methodist University and Columbia University School of Music.

In Dallas, Miss Dorsey taught piano for 35 years. Starting at age thirteen, she taught primary Sunday school for 68 years.  She never married; however, she reared several children.

The Dorsey family began vacationing at Manitou Springs, Colorado, in the 1890s to escape the heat of Texas summers.  Lula's sister, Emily, "discovered" the YMCA of the Rockies in 1917 while vacationing in Boulder. In 1919, Lula first visited the YMCA at the urgings of her father and sister.  In 1921, the family built Outlook cabin on the grounds.

From the beginning Lula, and her family took an active role in the YMCA of the Rockies. She donated LuHenDor cabin to the YMCA in 1950.  It was one of the first modern cabins on the grounds.  She also remodeled numerous cabins on Dorsey Circle.  During the next 30, years she donated five additional cabins to the Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch.  Lula Dorsey also made a substantial donation to the Henry Dorsey, Jr. Memorial Swimming Pool.

When she learned of plans to demolish the old Wind River Lodge in 1977, she contributed the money necessary to move and renovate a 1924 addition to the lodge for use as a museum.  The museum was dedicated on July 29, 1979.

Lula Dorsey led a full and active Christian life, dying at the age of 81.  She belonged to many organizations during her lifetime, including the Dallas Board of City Missions, the Women's Society of Christian Service, The Golden Cross and Dallas Federation of Music Teachers.  In 1961, she received the YMCA Outstanding Service Award