Skip to main content

Friends Institute records

 Collection
Identifier: HC.MC-950-077

Scope and Contents

This collection includes reports of various kinds and correspondence of Friends Institute.

Dates

  • Creation: 1890-1928

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Historical Note

When it was established in 1880, the Friends’ Institute for Young Men was located at 112 N. 7th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to offer a reading, lecture, and meeting room where “suitable” periodicals and other literature would be available to young men connected with the Society of Friends. There were approximately 200 original members of the Institute, including Edward Bettle, Jr., Ellis Y. Brown, T. Wistar Brown, John G. Bullock, Richard Cadbury, Howard Comfort, William H. Jenks, John H. Dillingham, John B. Garrett, Robert B. Haines, Josiah Leeds, Charles Roberts, Thomas Scattergood, George Vaux, Asa Wing, Edward M. Wistar, and others.

By 1885, it was concluded that women would be allowed membership, since they served on so many charitable and philanthropic organizations which held meetings in the Institute. It was determined that the efficiency of the Association would increase with female members and that there would be no detrimental effect in including them. At that point, the name changed to the Friends’ Institute.

Around 1892, the Institute moved to 20 S. 12th Street, where later it would share quarters with the American Friends Service Committee. The Institute’s purpose was said “to provide recreational facilities to Friends in the central section of the city.” Charter was granted by the Court of Common Pleas in 1887. At least by the time of the publication of the Inventory of Church Archives in 1942, there was no affiliation with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and indicates “only a cooperative relationship with the church organization.”

(Information from annual reports of Friends’ Institute and Inventory of Church Archives)

Extent

0.22 linear ft.

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection includes reports of various kinds and correspondence of Friends Institute.

Acquisition

Unknown.

Related Materials

  • HC.MC.1197 Friends' Institute records
  • HC.MC.975.11.021 Friends Institute of Philadelphia membership records
  • HC.MC.975.04.007 Friends Institute scrapbook
  • HC.MC.975.09.029 Friends Institute minutes
  • HC.MC.1256 William Morris Maier papers

Processing Information

Processed by Mary A. Crauderueff; completed February, 2016.

Title
Friends Institute records, 1890-1928
Author
Mary A. Crauderueff
Date
February, 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library

Contact:
370 Lancaster Ave
Haverford PA 19041 USA US