Hartley House
records
Summary Information
Hartley House
records
1896-1961
Hartley House,
Inc.
5.5 linear
feet (118 folders, 5 legal folders, 23 folios)
Language: English
sw0018
Hartley House, a
settlement on Manhatttan's West Side, was opened in 1897. Over the years, the
settlement attempted to improve living conditions in the area through programs
such as children's classes, cooking and homemaking lessons, health services,
English language classes, and work relief. The records contain, among other
materials, correspondence, materials from various clubs at the settlement,
photographs, and files relating to other organizations with which Hartley House
worked.
University of
Minnesota Libraries. Social Welfare History
Archives
Access and Use
Open for use in Social Welfare History Archives reading room.
Contact the archives for copyright information.
Arrangement
- Series 1. Corporate Records
- Series 2. Correspondence
- Series 3. Financial Records
- Series 4. Material Regarding House Programs and Related
Functions
- Series 5. Relations with Other Organizations
- Series 6. Publications and Public Relations
- Series 7. Hartley House Association
Historical Note
Hartley House was opened by the New York Association for Improving the
Condition of the Poor on January 1, 1897, and was incorporated as an
independent organization in 1903. Establishment of Hartley House was the result
of a gradually increasing feeling among the managers of the Association that
"if the homes of the poor could be made more comfortable and attractive, and
the home lives more sufficient, there would be less cause for family
dissensions and dissolutions, less seeking of the saloons by the men, less
misery and wretchedness for the women, more happiness in the tenement
districts, and less evil in the community."
According to the Association, Hartley House was to be a small
"homemaking" school, where poor girls could be taught to make and keep an
attractive, neat home - - not only for their own, but also for the benefit of
their families, husbands, brothers, and friends. It was also the intention of
the founders to bring the upper classes into the settlement to contribute
volunteer work which, it was believed, would benefit both the poor and the
wealthy. Marcellus Hartley, a New York businessman and philanthropist, donated
one of the settlement's buildings in honor of this father, Robert M. Hartley,
and another as a memorial to his daughter, Grace Hartley Stokes.
From its beginnings, the settlement carried on the usual range of
activities, from children's classes to cooking lessons. Programs included a
system of work relief, where unemployed neighbors were put to work in special
industrial rooms. Hartley House's services were direct responses to the needs
of its neighbors, and changing needs over the years were met by innovative
programming. As the ethnic composition of the neighborhood changed from what
was largely an Irish and German population in 1897 to one that reflected an
even more cosmopolitan society, programs were expanded to include health
services, English language classes, and additional summer activities.
Additional information is available on the
Hartley House
website.
Collection Scope and Content Note
Among the noteworthy sections of the Hartley House records is the
extensive correspondence between J. G. Phelps Stokes, a benefactor of and
advisor to Hartley House, and the settlement's first head-worker, Helen French
Greene, and her successor, May Matthews (folders 11-13). It details issues
arising from the sometimes conflicting goals of head workers and benefactors.
The collection is also rich in records of certain settlement clubs,
particularly the Women's Club, for which there are nearly complete meeting
minutes from 1904 to 1946 (folders 52-38). The collection of photographs
(folders 98-112) provides visual documentation of settlement and neighborhood
life, and the daily calendars kept by the staff offer an unusual record of
day-by-day activities in a settlement (folders 85-97).
The corporate records of Hartley House (folders 1-5) include the
certificate of incorporation and constitution, annual reports, and minutes of
the board of trustees. The correspondence files (folders 6-15) contain general
correspondence (folders 6-9) and correspondence with Marcellus Hartley, J. G.
Phelps Stokes, the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, and the
Wellesley Alumnae Association (folders 10-15). Treasurers’ reports,
applications for assistance to the Greater New York Fund, and a ledger and
staff salary lists comprise the financial section (folders 16-25). Program
records (folders 26-56) contain papers of settlement clubs (folders 26-41),
camp-related records from Hartley House farm (folders 42-45), nursery reports
and records of children's work (folders 46-49), and anniversary material
(folders 50-56).
The records also document Hartley House's interactions with national
voluntary organizations (folders 57-60); local voluntary organizations,
especially those on New York's West Side (folders 61-74); and New York City
agencies (folders 76-77). Other items of interest include the Hartley House
Cook Book and Household Economist (folder 78); studies of Hartley House and of
Patterson, New Jersey (folders 79-8l); a script for a play about the price of
milk (folder 82); and guest books, calendars, and photographs (folders 83-112).
The work of Hartley House was supported by the Hartley House
Association, an organization composed of current and former house members and
staff who raised funds and promoted house activities. Records of the Hartley
House Association (folders 113-118) include minutes, correspondence, financial
records, and membership lists dating from 1921 to 1927 (folders 113-115) and
records of what was apparently a reactivated form of the Association dating
from 1937 to 1959 (folders 116-118).
Also included in the records are legal-size folders containing
financial statements, club minutes, scrapbook fragments, and Hartley House
Association membership lists; and over-size material, consisting of 2 folios of
photographs and 21 weekly activity ledgers. (Oversized storage boxes 13-17)
Selected publications from the Hartley House records have been removed
and placed in the Social Welfare History Archives' Pamphlet Collection.
Related Material
Unpublished inventory available. Please contact the Archives for more
information.
Subject Terms
- The Hartley House records are 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.
- Marcellus
Hartley
- Helen
French Greene
- May Matthews
- J. G. Phelps Stokes
- New York
Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor
- Settlements and neighborhood centers
Contents List
| Location |
Title |
| |
Series 1. Corporate Records |
|
Box 1 |
Certificate of Incorporation, Constitution,
Bylaws 1897-1960 Box 1, Folder 1
|
| |
Annual Reports 1897-1902 Box 1, Folder 2 to 3
Note Includes descriptions of programs and their rationale as well as
a schedule of daily activities.
|
| |
Minute Book 1903-1938 Box 1, Folder 4
Note Kept by May Matthews, head worker, the book includes minutes of
the meeting to incorporate Hartley House, annual meetings of Hartley House,
budget information, and minutes of trustees meetings.
|
| |
Board of Trustees Minutes 1939-1961 Box 1, Folder 5
|
| |
Series 2. Correspondence Files |
|
Box 1 |
Correspondence 1896-1909 Box 1, Folder 6
Note Includes correspondence with Marcellus Hartley Dodge, John
Sherman Hoyt, Robert W. de Forest, J. K. Guiding, Helen F. Greene, and May
Matthews on such topics as playgrounds, prostitution in New York City, child
labor, an Italo-American Experimental Station, and requests to the settlement
for information on neighborhood social conditions.
|
| |
Correspondence 1912-1914 Box 1, Folder 7
Note Correspondents include Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch, Helen Hartley
Jenkins, William P. Miller, Marcellus Hartley Dodge, New York Kindergarten
Association, People’s Institute, Women’s Municipal League of New York City,
Children’s Educational Theatre, and Recreation Alliance of New York City
regarding such issues as playgrounds, tenement conditions, music in the
settlements, delinquency, and Maude Adams (an actress).
|
| |
Correspondence 1915-1921 Box 1, Folder 8
Note Correspondents include Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Helen Hartley
Jenkins, Boy Scouts of America, and Lillian D. Wald. Material regarding nursing
and settlement efforts and programs.
|
| |
Correspondence 1933-1960 Box 1, Folder 9
Note Material regarding settlement housekeeping; Kate S. Chittenden,
who founded and directed the Hartley House music department; and Chun-che Kao,
a former resident of Hartley House who complained of U.S. use of germ warfare
in China in 1952.
|
| |
Marcellus Hartley Dodge 1897-1901 Box 1, Folder 10
Note Material regarding administration of Hartley House and
especially the establishment of a library.
|
|
Box 2 |
J. G. Phelps Stokes 1897-1950 Box 2, Folder 11 to 13
Note Material reveals in detail the administrative aspects of running
the House. Includes material on kindergartens, the Hartley House Cookbook, New
York Milk Committee (Wilbur C. Phillips), nurses’ salaries, and the Society for
the Prevention of Crime. Lillian Wald is a correspondent.
|
| |
Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor
(AICP) 1938-1952 Box 2, Folder 14
Note Historical Hartley House records and material regarding use of
AICP funds by Hartley House.
|
| |
Wellesley Alumnae Association 1939-1946 Box 2, Folder 15
Note Includes a tribute by May Matthews, a Wellesley graduate, about
Helen F. Greene.
|
| |
Series 3. Financial Records 1905-1961 |
|
Box 2 |
Treasurer’s Reports, Budgets, Audits 1905-1961 Box 2, Folder 16 to 18
|
| |
Greater New York Fund 1938-1961 Box 2, Folder 19
Note Hartley House received financial support from the fund. Includes
annual applications which often detail programs and expenditures. Arranged by
campaign years.
|
|
Box 3 |
Greater New York Fund 1938-1961 Box 3, Folder 20 to 23
Note Hartley House received financial support from the fund. Includes
annual applications which often detail programs and expenditures. Arranged by
campaign years.
|
| |
Record of Receipts ledger 1943-1952 Box 3, Folder 24
|
| |
Staff Salary Lists 1937-1951 Box 3, Folder 25
Note Includes records of receipt, contribution, and taxes paid.
|
|
Box legal 12 |
Financial Statements 1898-1902 Box legal 12, Folder 1
|
| |
Series 4. Program Records 1898-1959 |
| |
House Clubs |
|
Box 3 |
Friendly Club 1954 Box 3, Folder 26
Note A club for senior citizens. Two monthly reports presented to
the New York City Department of Welfare.
|
| |
Girls’ Club undated Box 3, Folder 27
Note Lists of members and records of events.
|
| |
Neighbors Club 1923-1926 Box 3, Folder 28
Note Ledger containing lists of members, dues, and receipts.
|
| |
Peace Club 1936 Box 3, Folder 29
Note Two issues of "The Voice," the club publication. Contains
material on militarism and armaments.
|
| |
Progressive Club 1936 Box 3, Folder 30
Note Records of members and dues paid.
|
| |
Stags Club undated Box 3, Folder 31
Note Constitution and list of members
|
| |
Women’s Club Minutes 1913-1922, 1927-1943 Box 3, Folder 32 to 33
|
|
Box 4 |
Women’s Club Minutes 1913-1922, 1927-1943 Box 4, Folder 34 to 35
|
| |
Women’s Club Membership, Attendance, and Program
Records 1924-1925 Box 4, Folder 37
|
| |
Women’s Club "Bus Accident," 1946 Box 4, Folder 38
Note Material re a bus accident involving club members
|
| |
Club Registrants 1951-1953 Box 4, Folder 39 to 41
Note Registration cards for the following clubs and activities:
Brownie Scouts, Clovers, Club “47, Comets, Crusaders, Crusaders A.C. (Athletic
Club), Dukes, Happy-Go-Luck, Hawks, Mohawk Basketball, Royals, Scouts (Gym),
Spades, Stags, and Gym. The cards occasionally contain information on national
origin and social class.
|
| |
Hartley Farm Records
Note Material relating to Hartley House camping programs. Photographs
of Hartley Farm facilities, campers and staff are located in Series 6.
|
|
Box 4 |
Hartley Farm Council 1924-1926 Box 4, Folder 42
Note Material concerning financing and programming for the farm.
The Council consisted of one member from each settlement club.
|
| |
Farm Reports 1941, 1954. Box 4, Folder 43
|
| |
Farm Papers 1915-1959 Box 4, Folder 44
Note Material regarding health regulations, farm hiking areas,
American Camping Association inspection and standards, and staff recruitment.
Also includes certificate of registration for the farm’s cow, tax bills, and
architectural plans.
|
| |
Hartley Farm Songbook undated Box 4, Folder 45
|
| |
Nursery and Children |
|
Box 4 |
Nurse’s Reports 1906-1907 Box 4, Folder 46
Note Analysis of types of cases treated and their disposition.
|
|
Box 5 |
Nursery School 1953, 1959-1961 Box 5, Folder 47
Note Day care health records.
|
| |
Children’s Art Exhibit Catalog 1941 Box 5, Folder 48
Note Hartley House members’ work was included in the show.
|
| |
Children’s Trips 1959 Box 5, Folder 49
Note Lists of participants
|
| |
Anniversary Material |
|
Box 5 |
15th Anniversary 1912 Box 5, Folder 50
Note Program
|
| |
35th Anniversary 1933 Box 5, Folder 51
Note Guest book
|
| |
40th Anniversary (1938) 1937-1939. Box 5, Folder 52
Note Dinner dance records
|
| |
50th Anniversary (1947) 1946-1947 Box 5, Folder 53
Note Anniversary brochure describing history, programs, and
purposes of the House; also includes letter of appeal for funds and responses
to the letter.
|
| |
50th Anniversary (1947) 1946-1947 Box 5, Folder 54
Note Contribution Pledges
|
| |
50th Anniversary (1947) "It’s Worth Telling"
Play 1947 Box 5, Folder 55
Note Drafts of script, scenery sketches, and music written for the
play, which was written and performed by House members and staff. Also includes
promotional material for the play.
|
| |
56th Anniversary 1953 Box 5, Folder 56
Note Brochure
|
|
Box legal 12 |
Young Men’s Club Minutes 1904-1909 Box legal 12, Folder 2 to 3
|
| |
Scrapbook Fragments 1914-1917 Box legal 12, Folder 4
Note House cards, songs, etc.
|
|
Box flat |
Weekly Activity Ledgers 1898-1919 Box flat , Folder 1 to 21
|
| |
Series 5. Relations with Other Organizations 1933-1961 |
| |
National Organizations |
|
Box 5 |
American Red Cross 1954 Box 5, Folder 57
Note One letter regarding Hartley House’s civil defense
program.
|
| |
Association of American Indian Affairs 1954 Box 5, Folder 58
Note Copy of "The Years of Confusion," a report on Native Americans
in Utah by Oliver La Farge.
|
| |
Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies 1958, 1961 Box 5, Folder 59
Note Hartley House received a grant from the Federation to finance
psychological consultation, an Audubon Society program, and a visiting nurse
service for senior citizens. Also includes application for financial assistance
and report on a project for senior citizens.
|
| |
Local Organizations |
|
Box 5 |
National Federation of Settlement and Neighborhood
Centers 1949-1952 Box 5, Folder 60
Note Correspondence concerning Hartley House’s proposed resignation
from NFSNC for financial reasons and a study of the House, including a
statement of objectives and analyses of neighborhood housing, population,
numbers served, programs, and house income and expenditures.
|
| |
Hudson Guild 1946 Box 5, Folder 61
Note Notes on a discussion with Daniel Carpenter, head worker of
Hudson Guild, on the future of settlements after World War II.
|
| |
United Neighborhood Houses of New York 1952, 1958-1961 Box 5, Folder 62
Note Material regarding Greater New York Fund grant to settlements,
Hartley House’s membership in UNH, ethnic groups in the Hartley House
neighborhood, character of members served, etc.
|
| |
Welfare Council of New York City 1949-1951 Box 5, Folder 63
Note Letter regarding proposed merger of the New York City Health
Council and the Welfare Council and a small amount of material on services
provided for member agencies by the Welfare Council.
|
|
Box 6 |
West Side Association of Community Centers 1959-1961 Box 6, Folder 70
Note Two membership directories and minutes of a meeting.
|
| |
West Side Community Association undated Box 6, Folder 71 to 73
Note Membership Cards
|
| |
Housing, Neighborhood Discussion 1952 Box 6, Folder 74
Note Discussion between West Side residents and public housing
administrators about proposed low-income housing. Reveals the residents’
negative attitudes toward the proposal.
|
| |
Middle West Side Neighborhood Study 1940 Box 6, Folder 75
Note Indicates demographic shifts, availability of health
facilities, neighborhood industry and housing, etc.
|
| |
West Side Neighborhood Associations |
|
Box 5 |
Chelsea-Clinton Council for Community
Planning 1945-1947 Box 5, Folder 64
Note Minutes of Council executive committee and the Council’s
Committee on Elderly Neighbors, and suggested bylaws for the Council.
|
| |
Clinton Community Center 1949 Box 5, Folder 65
Note Report of the evaluation committee regarding Center
programs.
|
| |
Clinton Neighborhood Conference 1934-1946 Box 5, Folder 66
Note Directories of neighborhood agencies and list of child
caring agencies in the area.
|
|
Box 6 |
Clinton Neighborhood Conference 1933 Box 6, Folder 67
Note History compiled by the Welfare Council of New York City
|
| |
Clinton Neighborhood Dispensary 1943 Box 6, Folder 68
Note Hartley House was a member of the Dispensary, which provided
dental care for neighborhood children.
|
| |
Clinton Planning Council 1947-196l Box 6, Folder 69
Note Formerly the Clinton Neighborhood Planning Committee.
Minutes, survey of ethnic backgrounds of neighborhood residents, and community
information on schools, churches, and teen job projects.
|
| |
New York City Agencies |
|
Box 6 |
New York City Housing Authority 1953 Box 6, Folder 76
Note Material regarding the Governor George Clinton housing
project.
|
| |
New York City 1939-1956 Box 6, Folder 77
Note Permits and certificates issued by the city to Hartley
House.
|
| |
Series 6. Publications and Public Relations 1901-1955 |
|
Box 6 |
Hartley House Cookbook and Household
Economist 1914 Box 6, Folder 78
Note Published in response to requests for recipes from house cooking
classes.
|
| |
Julia J. Pearlman, "Hartley House: A Study in Human
Relations" 1947 Box 6, Folder 79
|
| |
"The Program of a Settlement House, 1897-1902 and
1940-1945 - - A Study of Hartley House" circa 1945 Box 6, Folder 80
|
| |
Jane Stewart, "Patterson, New Jersey—The Origin and
Development of an Industrial Community and Its Present Status in the Defense
Crisis" 1941 Box 6, Folder 81
Note Paper written for an American Studies course.
|
| |
"Take It or Leave It," 1937 Box 6, Folder 82
Note A play about milk prices in New York City
|
|
Box 7 |
Guest books 1912-1936, 1937-1944 Box 7, Folder 83 to 84
|
| |
Calendars 1901-1955 Box 7, Folder 85 to 91
Note The calendars list daily settlement activities
|
|
Box 8 |
Calendars 1901-1955 Box 8, Folder 92 to 97
Note The calendars list daily settlement activities
|
| |
Photographs of Staff and House members undated Box 8, Folder 98
|
| |
Photographs of House Activities undated Box 8, Folder 99
Note Includes photographs of Hartley House.
|
|
Box 9 |
Photographs of House Activities undated Box 9, Folder 100 to 101
Note Includes photographs of Hartley House.
|
| |
Photographs of Hartley Farm 1910-1911 and undated Box 9, Folder 102 to 106
Note Camping activities, staff and facilities.
|
|
Box 10 |
Photographs of Hartley Farm 1910-1911 and undated Box 10, Folder 107 to 111
Note Camping activities, staff and facilities.
|
| |
Photographs of the Stewart Family undated Box 10, Folder 112
Note Photos of former staff or house members
|
|
Box flat |
Photographs undated Box flat , Folder 22 to 23
|
| |
Series 7. Hartley House Association 1921-1959 |
|
Box 11 |
Minutes 1921-1927 Box 11, Folder 113
|
| |
Membership Lists circa 1925 Box 11, Folder 114
|
| |
Ledger 1921-1927 Box 11, Folder 115
|
| |
Minutes 1937-1952 Box 11, Folder 116
|
| |
Correspondence and Papers 1937-1959 Box 11, Folder 117
|
| |
Ledger 1937-1947 Box 11, Folder 118
|
|
Box legal 12 |
Hartley House Association Membership Lists 1946-1952 Box legal 12, Folder 5
|
|
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