Case records closed.
Organized in five series: I. Administrative records. II. Activities. III. Resources. IV. Related organizations. V. Memorabilia.
One of fifty such organizations throughout the United States, the International Institute of Boston was part of a national movement within the YWCA to serve the urban immigrant community. The Boston International Institute had its inception in 1923, and opened in 1924. It was described as a "Service Bureau for Foreign-Speaking People". Through case, group, and community work the staff sought to provide information, education, personal service, and assembly to its clients.
The Beacon, the monthly newsletter, was begun in 1933, and also several annual social events. In addition, separation, community, and nationalities studies were done. During this time also, the Institute severed its ties with the YWCA in 1935, and became autonomous.
It subsequently became a member of the Boston Council of Social Agencies, the Greater Boston Community Fund, and the National Institute for Immigrant Welfare (the umbrella organization for independent International Institutes--later the American Federation of International Institutes). In 1959 merged with the American Council for Nationalities Service.
During the late 1940s, the Institute struggled to maintain its services, and provided aid to war victims and recreational facilities to enlisted men. In the 1950s, a new executive secretary, Pauline Gardescu, assumed responsibility for the Institute. The Institute continued its work with both immigrant and international communities in Boston.
Records (1924-1955) of the International Institute of Boston consist of case files, administrative records, activities, resources, memorabilia, and information on related organizations.
The International Institute of Boston, The Beacon, cataloged as a serial and available on microfilm, is the major publication of the Institute.
Inventory available.
Related collections at the IHRC are Records of the American Council for Nationalities Services as well as records of individual International Institutes in New Bedford (Mass.); Biddleford-Saco (Maine); Boston (Mass.); Buffalo (N.Y.); Lewiston (Maine); McKeesport (Pa.); Minnesota; New Castle (Pa.); New Haven (Conn.); Niagara Falls (N.Y.); St. Louis (Missouri); Baltimore (Md.); Jersey City (N.J.)
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.