ID: Hull House
When: September 18, 1889 (and ongoing)
Who: Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr
What:
Hull House was a settlement house founded in Chicago’s Near West Side by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. It provided social services, educational opportunities, and cultural activities to impoverished immigrants and working-class families. Services included childcare, English classes, vocational training, and aid to the sick and unemployed.
Impact: Why Significant?:
- Progressive Reform: Hull House became a model for other settlement houses across the nation, contributing significantly to the Progressive movement’s efforts to address social problems.
- Social Work Development: It pioneered many of the methods and approaches of modern social work.
- Immigrant Assistance: It provided crucial support to newly arrived immigrants, helping them adjust to life in America and advocating for their rights.
- Research and Advocacy: Residents of Hull House conducted research on urban poverty and social issues, using this data to lobby for progressive reforms at the local, state, and national levels.
- Community Building: Hull House fostered a sense of community among its diverse residents and promoted intercultural understanding. It became a center for social activism and political engagement.
- Influence on Legislation: Data gathered at Hull House helped inform and shape legislation related to child labor, housing, and public health.