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Margaret Barry House records

 Collection
Identifier: SW 172

Scope and Content

The collection consists of reports, staff manuals, audits, and correspondence. Information regarding the settlement's summer day camp is also included. Historical summaries: Young at Sixty-Five, history of Minneapolis League of Catholic Women, 1911-1976 Corporate documents - by-laws and agreement with Council of Social Agencies, 1940s Statement of purpose and staff manual, ca. 1960 Annual reports, 1942-1962 Board minutes, 1950-1957 Board minutes, 1958-1963 Financial audits, 1950-1960 Financial statements, 1959-1963

Dates

  • 1939-1961

Language of Materials

English

Use of Materials

Open for use in Social Welfare History Archives reading room.

Copyright

Please contact the Archivist for copyright information.

Historical Note

The Margaret Barry House was founded in 1912 by the Minneapolis League of Catholic Women to provide classes, activities, and services in an Italian and Syrian neighborhood in northeast Minneapolis. It was named for a charter member of the League who was instrumental in starting the work and who chaired its board for many years. It was located at the corner of Pierce and Broadway Streets, N.E. Its early programs included an infant welfare clinic, a Boy Scout troop, music and drama, folk and social dancing, cooking and sewing classes, English language classes, and an employment bureau.

The Margaret Barry House maintained a staff of full-time professional social workers. It conducted year-round day and evening programs for neighborhood residents and their families. It received most of its financial support from the Community Chest and Council of Hennepin County.

One of the settlement house's most visible projects was Yardville, a recreational "workground" funded by McCall's magazine. It was publicized in the magazine and was visited by President Harry Truman in 1949.

In 1963, acting on a recommendation of the Council of Social Agencies, Margaret Barry House was consolidated with the Northeast Neighborhood House, which would later become Eastside Neighborhood Services. The League of Catholic Women presented the land, building, and equipment to the Council of Social Agencies and turned its attention toward the operation of its other social programs.

Additional information about the history of the settlement house is included in Young at Sixty-Five, a history of the Minneapolis League of Catholic Women, Inc., a copy of which is included in the collection.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Abstract

The collection consists of reports, staff manuals, audits, and correspondence. Information regarding the settlement's summer day camp is also included.

Other Finding Aid

Unpublished inventory available. Please contact Archives for more information.

Title
Margaret Barry House records, 1939-1961
Date
June 2004
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Collecting Area Details

Contact The Social Welfare History Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-624-6394