Social Welfare History Archives
Henry Street Settlement records, 1892-1982.
Collection Abstract

Collection ID: SW058
Size: 58 linear ft.

Index Terms:
Henry Street Settlement (New York, N.Y.)
Henry Street Settlement (New York, N.Y.)--Archives.
Lower Eastside Neighborhoods Association--History.
Mobilization for Youth--History.
Hall, Helen, 1892-1982.
Beck, Bertram M.
Wald, Lillian D., 1867-1940.
Lower East Side (New York, N.Y.)
Social settlements--New York (state)--New York--History--Sources.
Social work administration--New York (state)--New York--History--Sources.
Community organization--New York (state)--New York--History--Sources.

The Henry Street Settlement was organized in 1893 by Lillian Wald and Mary Brewster in New York City's Lower East Side neighborhood. Miss Wald and Miss Brewster were nurses and the settlement's early work was principally a visiting nurse service. By the time the settlement was incorporated in 1903, its work had expanded to include many of the usual settlement services. Miss Wald was succeeded as headworker in 1933 by Helen Hall. In 1944, the settlement and the Visiting Nurse Service were legally separated into two organizations.

This collection, although dating from 1892, best documents the years Miss Hall served as headworker, 1933-67. To a more limited extent, the collection contains material dating from Miss Wald's tenure and that of Miss Hall's successor, Bertram Beck. The collection consists of minutes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, drawings, publications, financial records, clippings, scripts, scores, photographs, maps, and newsletters. These describe the settlement's internal administration as well as its work in the arts, juvenile delinquency, mental health, child care, and many other fields. Additionally, the collection documents Henry Street's relationship with other organizations such as the Lower Eastside Neighborhoods Association and Mobilization for Youth as well as a range of local, state, and federal organizations and persons.

Open for use in Social Welfare History Archives reading room.

Unpublished inventory available.
Contact repository for more information.

Email d-klaa@umn.edu for more information.
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Last Revised: February 16, 2002