Finding aid for the Goodrich Social Settlement Photographs

History of Goodrich Social Settlement

Goodrich Social Settlement was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1897 by Flora Stone Mather, who donated the original building at Bond Street (now East 6th Street) and St. Clair Avenue. Mather also paid the settlement's expenses during its early years and established its endowment fund. As the settlement expanded, it began to receive much of its financial support from the Cleveland Community Chest. The first Community Chest grant was made in 1920, and the sums appropriated for Goodrich House rose appreciably in the next few years. Goodrich House was named in honor of Rev. Goodrich of Old Stone Church.

The first settlement director was Starr Cadwallader who served until 1902. Other prominent directors and residents included Frederick C. Howe, Newton D. Baker, and Alice P. Gannet. Miss Gannett served as director of Goodrich House from 1917-1947. During these early years, the settlement formed a close relationship with the Consumers League of Cleveland (founded in 1900) and with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (founded in 1897). Other organizations which were associated with the settlement in these years included the Music School Settlement, the Society for the Blind, the Sunbeam School, and the Home Gardening Association.

As the downtown Cleveland area rapidly became a commercial district, the settlement moved eastward, following residential housing. The settlement moved to East 31st Street in 1914 and was renamed the Goodrich-Sterling Settlement House. It moved again to East 55th Street in 1969 and was renamed Goodrich-Gannet Neighborhood Center.

During its history, a wide variety of ethnic groups have benefited from the settlement's programs. The original German and Irish residents were replaced by eastern European immigrants who in turn were replaced by Appalachian whites and African Americans from the South. Over the years the settlement has provided a full range of services including social clubs, craft programs, adult education, day nursery facilities, and camp programs.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Goodrich Social Settlement

Scope and Content

The Goodrich Social Settlement Photographs, ca. 1908, consist of ive loose photographs and one album containing views of the summer camp of Goodrich House, a social settlement founded in 1896 in Cleveland, Ohio. Included are views of staff, activities, the farm, and headquarters of Goodrich House at Bond (E. 6th St.) and St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, The album was the property of Effie Comstock, a settlement worker. The collection includes 5 loose black and white photographs that measure 4 x 5 inches and smaller and one album that contains 43 black and white photographs.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of social services and settlement houses in Cleveland, Ohio, in the early twentieth century.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 3505 Goodrich Social Settlement Records; and MS 3594 Goodrich Social Settlement Records, Series II.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 279 Goodrich Social Settlement Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of John Comstock Norton in 1984.

Detailed Description of The Collection