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Travelers Aid Association of America records

 Collection
Identifier: SW 122

Scope and Content

The Travelers Aid Association of America records contain board and committee minutes and reports, conference programs and proceedings, directories of local travelers aid service, procedural manuals, bulletins and newsletters, reports and program analyses, scrapbooks, and teaching materials. The records reflect the broadening of services from young women to families and transients during the Depression and to servicemen and their families during World War II. The materials relate to the history, administration, committees, and meetings of the Travelers Aid Association of America. Activities and procedures of the national association, as well as some local groups, are also documented.

Dates

  • Creation: 1910-1975

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 National Travelers Aid Association was founded on April 26, 1917, as a "non-sectarian, non-commercial protective and preventive organization" to provide service to travelers by fostering coordination and cooperation on a national level. It grew out of programs for travelers formed by the YWCA, Catholic Women's Leagues, Councils of Jewish Women, Kings Daughters and other sectarian groups to provide protection for young women moving to industrial areas to seek employment. Travelers Aid services expanded from young women to families and transients during the Great Depression and to servicemen and their families during World War II.

Grace Hoadley Dodge was instrumental in developing non-sectarian service in New York and in coordinating efforts to establish a national association. She founded the Non-Sectarian Committee for Travelers Aid in New York in 1905 and served as president of the Travelers Aid Society of New York, incorporated in 1907 to continue the work of the Non-Sectarian Committee. In 1911, the New York Society established a "Department of National Cooperation" which evolved into the national association.

Extent

32 Linear Feet (26 record cartons)

Abstract

The Travelers Aid Association of America records contain board and committee minutes and reports, conference programs and proceedings, directories of local Travelers Aid services, procedural manuals, bulletins and newsletters, reports and program analyses, scrapbooks, and teaching materials.

Other Finding Aid

Unpublished inventory available. Please contact Archives for more information.

Acquisition Information

The collection was a gift from the Travelers Aid International Social Service of America, received in 1977. Many of the materials had previously been loaned to the Social Welfare History Archives for microfilming in 1967.

Processing Information

The inventory was prepared by David Klaassen in 1977 and revised in 1992.

Title
Travelers Aid Association of America records, 1910-1975
Author
David Klaassen
Date
1992
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