Whittier House (Jersey City, New Jersey)

Cornelia Foster Bradford (1914 publication)

Whittier House was established May 14, 1894, by Cornelia Foster Bradford as the outgrowth of social work begun December 20, 1893, in a small room called an “office" in the People's Palace. It incorporated for the following purposes:[2]

1. Through friendship, neighborliness and personal influence to promote in the community such a relation of fellowship and mutual helpfulness between people of different occupations and different opportunities as shall improve the physical, intellectual and moral welfare of the neighborhood. The means to this end shall include, in addition to the personal forces of friendship, the formation of such kindergartens, classes, clubs and societies as shall promote the social ideal.
2. To establish a house which shall serve as the residence for those actively engaged in the work of the settlement, as the center for advantageously studying the social problem at close range and out of personal experience; as the meeting place for clubs, classes, conferences and entertainments, and as the common meeting ground for the development and expression of the social, civic and moral spirit of the community.
3. To co-operate with churches, with educational, charitable and labor organizations, and with other agencies organized for the improvement of social conditions.

The people were 75 per cent Slavic, and 25 per cent Irish, Germans, African Americans, Russians, Poles, and Italians. The men worked in the sugar, soap, and tobacco factories, and on the docks. The quarter was sordidly poor and in constant flux, with none of the picturesque and intellectual qualities of the lower East Side of New York City.[2]

Whittier House was the pioneer settlement in New Jersey. It was able to be of service as well to the state as to the city. With the College Settlements Association, it conducted an investigation into the housing conditions of Jersey City, which resulted in the formation of the State Tenement House Commission. The first inspectors, working under the commission, were residents. The house was instrumental in establishing the State Consumers' League, which had its office at the House, the State Neighborhood Workers Association, and the Hudson County Tuberculosis Sanitarium. Residents frequently appeared before various legislative committees, and were represented on the State Board of Charities, the Child Labor Committee, the Pure Food Committee, the Children's Protective Alliance, the Hudson County Vigilance League.[2]

The distinctive work of this settlement was cooperation with State and municipal authorities. It had manual training, a kindergarten, classes in art, cooking, dressmaking, millinery, a boys' association, and social, education and musical departments. The Organized Aid Society of Jersey City, the Jersey State Legal Society, and the State Consumers' League all held their meetings here, and some of the residents were represented on every one of these boards. Whatever was going on in the city to uplift humanity, whether it be carried on by the Salvation Army, by the Street Cleaning Department, or by any other one of the municipal departments, Whittier House was called upon or represented in some way.[1]

Whittier House established:[2]

• the first free kindergarten in the city, later turning it over to the public authorities
• the first district nurse, which resulted in the organization of the Municipal Nursing Service
• the first public playground, which was for some years, the only one

In 1896 the mayor appointed two residents on the Investigation and Relief Committee for the purpose of inquiry into the origin of a large fire, and to administer funds to the victims. It discontinued its dispensary to co-operate in 1907 with the city dispensaries; and relinquished its library to the city, though it was continued in the building. Its legal aid department, organized in 1894, was always an important feature. It was instrumental in organizing the Jersey City Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Organized Aid, and the City Betterment League. Its Neighborhood Council appeared before the mayor, the board of education, and other public bodies, and was instrumental in securing a playground for the ward, and in doing other social work.[2]

The settlement was named after the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, and the motto of the house were the poet's words:— "He serves Thee best who loveth most. His brothers and Thy own."[1]

The founder and head worker, Bradford, was assisted by seven additional resident, and 70 non-resident workers.[1] Bradford gave much time to lecturing, writing, and speaking on phases of social work both in New Jersey and elsewhere.[2]

A Board of Directors was made up of men and women representing various parts of New Jersey.[1] The governing board was made up of members of the older clubs, and all questions of detail in regard to the carrying on of the settlement were referred to this board.[2]

The Auxiliary was made up of women who lived in Jersey City.[1]

• Settlement and community houses in the United States

• A New Settlement Among the Poor, Outlook, New York, December, 1893.
• An American Canning Town Settlement, Independent, London, January, 1894.
• Another Settlement, Examiner, New York, January, 1895.
• The Social Settlement, Jersey City, Examiner, New York, February 8, 1895.
• Whittier House in Jersey City, Christian City, New York, March, 1895.
• Whittier House, New York Tribune, March 3, 1895.
• Whittier House, Outlook, New York, May, 1895.
• Whittier House Field, New York Tribune, September 1, 1895;
• Jersey City News, April 12, 1897, Jersey City Journal, March 30, 1897, Journal, July 10, 1897.
• Whittier House, Prospect Union Review, Cambridgeport, Mass., March 13, 1895.
• Whittier House, Montclair, N. J., Times, April, 1895.
• A Jersey College Settlement, Newark, N. J. Advertiser, April, 1895.
• Whittier House, Outlook, 57 : 389 (October 9, 1897).
• Anniversary of Whittier House, Outlook, 59 : 188 (May 21, 1898).
• Women in New York Settlements, Whittier House, Mary A. Kingsbury, Munic. Aff., 2 : 458462 (September, 1898).

• Whittier House, 174-178 Grand Street, Paulus Hook Historic District, via New Jersey City University
• Photos, at New Jersey Women's History, New Jersey Historical Society