In the year 1893 a small group of women met and formed the Wenham Village Improvement Society.  Its original objective was to beautify the Town of Wenham and make it a better place to live.  In 1913 the object was expanded to provide a suitable building and grounds for social meetings for the education, improvement and entertainment of the people of the town and vicinity.  Today the mission statement of the WVIS is "To serve the changing needs of the Wenham community, while honoring the history and traditions of the Wenham Village Improvement Society." 

The Wenham Tea House is owned by the Wenham Village Improvement Society, a philanthropic organization.  All profits benefit the community, including scholarships, a playground, a summer camp program, and tennis courts.