Calumet Regional Archives

Inventory

February 2004
2.5 Linear Foot

Introduction

The Gary Neighborhood House Records were deposited in the Calumet Regional Archives on May 7, 1974.

Property rights in the collection are held by the Calumet Regional Archives. Literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Linear feet of shelf space: 2.50 linear feet
Number of containers: 4
Calumet Regional Archives Collection 069
Processed by: Peg Schoon
Date: February, 2004

Scope And Content

Gary Neighborhood House was a settlement house begun under the auspices of the Presbyterian church in 1909. The records include a few short histories of the first twenty years and several first person narratives of the activities. There is a fairly comprehensive series of minutes from the Board of Directors from 1913 to 1947, with scattered later years, as well as some annual reports. Social justice movements, rather than help for individuals and families are reflected in the later program material. Photographs document activities for the first 50 years and lay emphasis on the change in clientele from Eastern European immigrants to Mexican immigrants, to African Americans.

Other collections which may be of interest to the researcher include the Charles Pandorf Papers (CRA 245) which contain a few photographs of activities from 1922-1923 as well as a clear exterior view of the building and the papers of the Reverend William Brooks (CRA 295), who was director of Gary Neighborhood House from 1962 until 1968.

Those interested in other settlement house work in Gary may want to check the Gary-Alerding Settlement House Collection (CRA 39), the International Institute of Northwest Indiana Records (CRA 102), and the Raymond A. Mohl Papers (CRA 242).

Historical Sketch

Gary Neighborhood House was the first settlement house in Gary, begun in 1909 under the auspices of the Home Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Synod of Indiana by Kate and Jane Williams. It started with a kindergarten class for immigrant children in a portable building at 14^th and Washington. The Reverend B. M. Baligrodski and his sister joined the staff in 1910, and the activities were moved to a frame building at 1525 Washington.

While Sunday School and Bible classes were always important parts of the programs, practical welfare needs were also addressed. Home visitation was an early feature, with an emphasis on improving health and sanitation. Sewing lessons, English classes, a library, employment assistance, and a nursery were mainstays. Laundry facilities and public baths were available to families who had no running water.

In 1912 Gary Neighborhood House moved to its permanent home at 1700 Adams, and the building was expanded in 1916. It included day and night nurseries for children of working mothers, living quarters for the staff, and rooms for newly-arrived immigrants. There was space enough for educational and social activities for all ages.

Later years found more emphasis on social justice programs. Gary Neighborhood House closed in 1973 for lack of funding.

• Black Panthers
• Ethnic groups
• Gary Neighborhood House
• Independent Union of Welfare Employees
• Marona House
• Metro Corps of Gary
• Minority Businessman's Steering Committee
• National Black Political Convention, 1972
• National Welfare Rights Organization
• Neighborhood Action Institute
• Northern Indiana Public Service Company
• Presbyterian Church. Missions.
• Project Justice and Equality
• Scholarship, Education and Defense Fund for Racial Equity
• Settlement houses
• United Youth of Gary
• Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975
• VISTA
• Women's International League for Peace and Freedom