ContentsBIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS SELECTED SEARCH TERMS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS |
Finding aid for Friends Instruction Association (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records, 1873-1894Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff2007
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTEFriends Instruction Association was organized in 1873 by Philadelphia Quaker women as A Mothers Meeting. Originally part of the Penn Sewing School, the group incorporated in 1876 as Friends Instruction Association, and Philadelphia Monthly Meeting provided a meeting space in the Race Street meeting house. Its purpose was to provide poor women regardless of race, religion or nationality with the life skills to improve their condition and to furnish them with clothing. By providing sewing and tailoring instruction and discounted prices on cloth, these women assembled garments for themselves and their families. The material provided to the women was donated to them for their first garment, and thereafter it was provided to them at half price. The group was disbanded in December 1891 because of declining numbers and because its mission was being fulfilled by other charitable organizations. The meetings consisted of many women sewing together under supervision of a sewing instructor and a superintendent. The superintendent's job was to make sure supplies were paid for and distributed accordingly and to enforce several rules of courtesy in the meetings. The meetings also served a social purpose in these women's lives. The minutes detail how the superintendent would read to the women at a designated time during the meeting. Holidays were celebrated with refreshments and songs. Prayers and Bible readings from the superintendent would open and close each meeting. Return to the Table of Contents SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDSContains the records of the Friends Instruction Association including minutes and financial records, receipts from stores, and published bylaws. Organized in two series: MinutesFinancial RecordsReturn to the Table of Contents SELECTED SEARCH TERMS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDSThis collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Friends Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings: Return to the Table of Contents DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDSSer. 1 Minutes
Ser. 2 Financial Records
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