The couple had a very deep religious faith and were active members of Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington. Carl was a member of the original Lions Club of Bloomington, an honorary vice-president for life of the McLean County Historical Society. He belonged to the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star, was elected president of the Community Players Theater in 1923, and served as public relations and information chairman of the McLean County chapter of the American Red Cross in 1947, among other things. Julia was an active member of the Federation of Women's Club and was elected president of the 17th District Federation of Women's Clubs in 1922. She also continued her philanthropic work and played the role of hostess during the many parties she and Carl held at their mansion on Taylor Street. She and Carl often opened up their home up to the community. Many formal dances of Illinois Wesleyan University fraternities and sororities and tea parties were held at their home. Together Julia and Carl had many friends, some through his role as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. This included President Woodrow Wilson & Mrs. Edith Wilson, President Franklin Roosevelt & Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Adlai Stevenson II, William Jennings Bryan, many European Heads of State, playwright Rachel Crothers, poets Sara Teasdale and Vachel Lindsay. Most of whom dined at the original dining room table which is still in use at the Vrooman Mansion Bed and Breakfast today. Julia was also famous for the ‘Vrooman bread’, which she sent to the Queen of England, Eleanor Roosevelt, and other dignitaries.
