Collection Title: Chester County Health and Welfare Council
Collection Number: 129
Dates of Collection: 1922-1964
Repository: Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA
Language: English
The Chester County Health and Welfare Council (CCHWC) was formed in 1925 with the merger of the Chester County Cooperative Council and the Chester County Health and Welfare Board. The impetus for its formation was to centralize the organization of the various private health and welfare agencies throughout the county.
A written history in this collection of the merger states that the founding purpose of the CCHWC was “to assemble all constituted health and welfare authorities and existing agencies in Chester County Pa., to the end that overlapping may be reduced to a minimum and to demonstrate how public and private health endeavors can, with effective results, be co-coordinated to the advantage of all citizens of the County.”
Early goals of the CCHWC included providing visiting nursing services for citizens and schools; examining schools and fighting truancy; orchestrating diagnosis campaigns and establishing clinics for tuberculosis; controlling the spread of contagious diseases; providing pure water and milk as well as modern sewage systems for the entire country; and, disseminating issues regarding public health. In addition, they organized recreational activities for children and adults under the Division of Civics and Arts, a Drama League, the County Library system, and the Community and Program Services committees. They also lobbied state government and supported legislation that they saw as beneficial to the cause of social health and welfare.
While some of their funds came from the state of Pennsylvania (through an act of the state legislature in 1925), much of the early capital for the CCHWC was raised through fund raisers and membership drives that brought in contributions that ranged from a dollar to a hundred dollars. In 1929, the CCHWC had Boy Scout troops collecting books with the goal of establishing a number of rural branch libraries. Also in 1929, the council published a program for adult education that the American Association for Adult Education sent to thousands of social service organizations throughout the country. During the 1930s the Council assisted in administering public funds for poor relief in the county and sponsored Works Progress Administration programs. They also became involved in county planning and zoning issues. By the start of WWII the president of the Council admitted that they were “’not functioning as they once did,’ due to a lack of financial support.” In 1954, the CCHWC consolidated with Chester County Community Services, Inc. to form a new entity called the Health and Welfare Council of Chester County, Inc. The new organization would place its initial focus on child adoption and welfare as well as coordination of county agencies administering social services.
For more information, see: Herring, John Woodbridge, Social Planning and Adult Education, 1933. In CCHS Chester County Authors Collection.
The collection covers the CCHWC’s work from its founding in 1925 to its dissolution through merger in 1954. The bulk of the collection covers the 1920s, 1930s and 1950s with a dearth of material from the 1940s. Because of the far reaching activity of the Council, no one subject dominates in the collection. What the collection does show, is a broad sweep of activities in Chester County dealing with social welfare and health.
The collection is arranged in the following series:
Series I – Meeting minutes, 1924-1958
Series II – Reports, 1924-1959
Series III – Correspondence, 1924-1956
Series IV – Financial Records, 1922-1955
Series V – Subject Files, 1924-1964
Series VI – Scrapbook and Newspaper Clippings, 1929-1958
The minutes provide an outline of activities discussed at monthly, quarterly and annual meetings (Series I). The reports (Series II) from various committee leaders and groups go into more detail about the work of the council. There is a small collection of correspondence and letters (Series III). The bulk consists of form letters sent out to members regarding fund-raising and events. A few of the form letters do give summaries of the Council’s activities. Business correspondence deals with the day to day business of the Council. Within this group are a number of letters of particular interest that are described below. The financial records (Series IV) provide a thorough record of the Council’s finances and include budgets, expense reports and other documents related to daily operations. The subject files (Series V) contain miscellaneous materials that are identified by subject matter or type of document. Included with the subject files are statements, position papers, plans, programs, pamphlets, fund raising ephemera, etc..
A scrapbook and newspaper clippings make up Series VI.
Series I – Meeting minutes
Description: Typed summaries of meetings that deal with business matters and activities of the HWC and its affiliated organizations. Arranged chronologically.
Box 1
Folder 1 – Annual Meeting, 1924
Folder 2 – 1925
Folder 3 – Executive Committee, 1927
Folder 4 – Executive Committee, 1928
Folder 5 – Annual Meeting, 1928
Folder 6 – Visiting Nurse Association, 1928
Folder 7 – Budget and Finance Committee, 1929
Folder 8 – Annual Meeting, 1929
Folder 9 – Executive Committee, 1929-1930
Folder 10 – Annual Meeting, 1930
Folder 11 – Community Financing, session at the Annual Meeting, 1930
Folder 12 – Recreation Section at the Annual Meeting, 1930
Folder 13 – Social Work Section at the Annual Meeting, 1930
Folder 14 – Social Work Commission, 1930
Folder 15 – Steering Committee, 1930
Folder 16 – Executive Committee, 1931
Folder 17 – Joint Meeting of Commissions and Board of the C.C.H.W.C., 1931
Folder 18 – Executive Committee, 1932
Folder 19 – Annual Meeting, agenda, 1932
Folder 20 – Steering Committee, 1932
Folder 21 – Joint Finance Committee, 1932
Folder 22 – Executive Committee, 1933
Folder 23 – Executive Committee, 1934
Folder 24 – Panel Discussion, “Present Needs of the Library Commission and
Drama League as to Housing at Whitford Lodge and How to Meet These Needs”, 1934
Folder 25 – Executive Board, 1935
Folder 26 – Annual Meeting, 1935
Folder 27 – Executive Board, 1936
Folder 28 – Executive Board, 1937
Folder 29 – Annual Meeting, (includes clipping), 1937
Folder 30 – Executive Board, 1938
Folder 31 – Executive Board, with Financial Reports attached, 1939
Folder 32 – Health and Community Service Conference, Annual Meeting, 1939
Folder 33 – Executive Board, 1940
Folder 34 – Executive Board, with Financial Reports attached, 1941
Folder 35 – Annual Meeting, 1941
Folder 36 – Executive Board, with Financial Reports attached, 1942-1943
Folder 37 – Executive Board, with Financial Reports attached, 1944
Folder 38 – Executive Board, 1945
Folder 39 – Executive Board, 1946
Folder 40 – Executive Board, 1947
Folder 41 – Administrative Committee, 1947
Folder 42 – Regular Meeting / Board Meeting, 1948-1950
Folder 43 – Committee Meeting, 1950
Folder 44 – Regular Meeting, 1951
Folder 45 – Meeting of Interested Persons From Operating Agencies in Chester
Co., 1951 / Meeting of Pennsylvania Welfare Conference, 1951 / Semi-Annual Meeting Advisory Health Council, 1951
Folder 46 – Regular Meeting, 1952 / Executive Committee, 1952
Folder 47 – Advisory Health Council, 1952
Folder 48 – Regular Meeting, 1953 / Executive Committee, 1953
Folder 49 – Annual Meeting, 1953
Folder 50 – Regular Meeting, 1954 (includes minutes from final meeting prior to consolidation with the Chester County Community Services, Inc.)
Folder 51 – Annual Meeting, 1954
Folder 52 – Medical Panel, Annual Meeting, 1955
Folder 53 – Annual Meeting, 1956
Folder 54 – Steering Committee, 1957 / Inter-Agency Staff Meeting, 1958
Folder 55 – Welfare Commission, n.d.
Folder 55A – Social Service Commission, n.d.
Folder 56 – [no date]
Series II – Reports
Description: Most of these reports appear to have been delivered at meetings related to the work of the CCHWC unless otherwise noted. Reports provide details of the work and activities of the Council throughout Chester County. Arranged chronologically.
Box 2
Folder 1 – General, Chester County Cooperative Council, 1924
Folder 2 – Activities, Chester County Cooperative Council, 1925
Folder 3 – Activities, 1926
Folder 4 – Statistical, w/ list of goals, 1927
Folder 5 – Activities, 1927
Folder 6 – Social Service and Case Work, 1927
Folder 7 – Report of Progress, 1927
Folder 8 – Quarterly Activities, 1928
Folder 9 – Yearly Reports, various branches, 1928
Folder 10 – Executive Committee, 1928
Folder 11 – Executive Secretary, 1928
Folder 12 – Health, 1928
Folder 13 – County Survey Committee, 1928
Folder 14 – Nursing Service, annual report, 1928
Folder 15 – General Report, 1929
Folder 16 – Activities, 1929
Folder 17 – Library work, 1929
Folder 18 – Executive Secretary, 1929
Folder 19 – Annual Meeting, 1929
Folder 20 – Finance, 1929
Folder 21 – Public Health Committee, 1929
Folder 22 – Finance, 1929
Folder 23 – Public Health Committee, 1929
Folder 24 – Director’s Monthly Report to Executive Board, 1930
Folder 25 – Executive Secretary, 1930
Folder 26 – Report for the Year, 1931
Folder 27 – General, 1931
Folder 28 – Quarterly Report of the County Program, 1931
Folder 29 – Budget Committee, 1931
Folder 30 – Report of talk by Dr. George K. Pratt, 1931
Folder 31 – Library work, 1931
Folder 32 – Social Service, 1931
Folder 33 – Inter-club Association, 1931
Folder 34 – Quarterly Reports, 1932
Folder 35 – Activities, 1933
Folder 36 – General, 1933
Folder 37 – General, 1934
Folder 38 – General, 1935
Folder 39 – Home Service Department, 1935
Folder 40 – General, 1937
Folder 41 – National Youth Administration, 1937
Folder 42 – Soroptimist Club’s Educational Program, 1937
Folder 43 – General, 1938
Folder 44 – General, 1939
Folder 45 – Panel Discussion, Workshop Planning Committee, 1951
Folder 46 – Panel Discussion, “Our Concern for Adequate Health and Welfare Facilities in Chester County”, 1955
Folder 47 – Progress report, 1955-1957
Folder 48 – Annual Report, 1959
Folder 48A – General, n.d.
Folder 48B – Quarterly Report, n.d.
Series III – Correspondence
Description: Business letters related to the operations of the CCHWC. The bulk of the letters are form letters sent to raise money, encourage membership and inform members regarding events and meetings. Letters of specific interest have been summarized here. Arranged chronologically.
Box 2(continued)
Folder 49 – Announcements, events/meetings, 1924-1929
Folder 50 – Business, 1924-1929
Folder 51 – Appeals, membership/funding, 1926-1931
Folder 52 – Letter of Theodore B. Appel, review of Chester County health services, 1927
Folder 53 – Letters of resignation, Frank E. Sutch, 1929
Folder 54 – Letter of Director John W. Herring, [1930], to “Citizens of Chester County”
Folder 55 – Business, 1930-1938
Folder 56 – Announcements, events/meetings, 1930-1931
Folder 57 – Letter from Molly Flynn to Clinton Moffett, 1932
Folder 58 – Announcements, events/meetings, 1933
Folder 59 – Appeals, membership/funding, 1934-1947
Folder 60 – Letter proposing a prison farm in Chester County, 1934
Folder 61 – Letter to parents regarding diphtheria immunization, 1943
Folder 62 – Announcements, events/meetings, 1949-1952
Folder 63 – Business, 1951-1956
Folder 64 – Appeals, membership/funding, 1953-1954
Folder 65 – [no date]
Series IV – Financial Records
Description: Variety of financial documents arranged chronological. Includes monthly treasurer’s reports, quarterly reports; annual reports; budgets; finance committee documents; correspondence.
Box 3
Folder 1 – 1922-1923
Folder 2 – 1926
Folder 3 – 1927
Folder 4 – 1928
Folder 5 – 1929
Folder 6 – 1930
Folder 7 – 1931
Folder 8 – 1932
Folder 9 – 1933
Folder 10 – 1934
Folder 11 – 1935
Folder 12 – 1936
Folder 13 – 1937
Folder 14 – 1938
Folder 15 – 1940
Folder 16 – 1945
Folder 17 – 1946
Folder 18 – 1947
Folder 19 – 1948
Folder 20 – 1955
Folder 21 – [no date]
Box 4
1) Account Book, “Chester County Health and Welfare Council”, 1927-1929 (inserted papers include lease agreements)
2) Account Book, “Chester County Health and Welfare Council”, 1930-1933
3) Account Book, “Chester County Health and Welfare Council”, 1933-1936
4) Account Book, “Chester County Health and Welfare Council”, 1936-1939
5) Account Book, “Chester County Health and Welfare Council”, 1939-1942
6) Account Book, “Chester County Health and Welfare Council”, 1943-1946
Box 4A
1) Account Book, [Chester County Health and Welfare Board / Chester County Health and Welfare Council], 1920-1947
Series V – Subject Files
Description: Miscellaneous materials identified by their subject and/or document type. Documents are related to the Chester County Health and Welfare Council unless otherwise noted. Arranged chronologically.
Box 5
Folder 1 – Constitution and By-Laws, 1924, [1929], n.d.
Folder 2 – Board of Health and Welfare, 1924
Folder 3 – Highlights of Health and Welfare Accomplishments, 1925-1928
Folder 4 – History, Merger of Chester Council Cooperative Council and Chester County Health and Welfare Council, 1925
Folder 5 – Handbill, 1925
Folder 6 – Schedules, events, 1926, n.d.
Folder 7 – Lease, Farmers and Mechanics Trust Company Building, 1927
Folder 8 – Itinerary for Health Car for Chester County, 1928
Folder 9 – Condensed Report of character building department, [1928]
Folder 10 – Fund Raising, 1929, 1958, n.d.
Folder 11 – Organization Plan, 1929
Folder 12 – Prospectus, 1929
Folder 13 – Brief Statement of the Program and Organization, 1930
Folder 14 – Chester County Co-operative Council, [1930]
Folder 15 – Instructions for Annual Meeting, 1930
Folder 16 – Pamphlet, “Chester County Plan, 1930
Folder 17 – Pamphlet, “The Together Campaign”, 1930
Folder 18 – Plan for Short Training Courses in Rural Districts, 1930
Folder 19 – Programs, Annual Meeting, 1930-1940
Folder 20 – Tickets, events, 1930-1934
Folder 21 – “Chester County Jottings for May, 1930”
Folder 22 – “Here’s the County Story for April 1930”
Folder 23 – “Twenty-five Points of Progress”, 1930-1931
Folder 23A – Meeting Schedules, 1930-1933
Folder 24 – Application, Certification of Registration under Solicitation Law, 1932
Folder 25 – List, Public Health Nurses in Chester County, 1931
Folder 26 – Whitford Lodge Summer School for Adults, 1931
Folder 27 – Chester County Community Christmas Celebration, 1931
Folder 28 – Calendar for 1932-1933
Folder 29 – Chester County Movement, 1932
Folder 30 – Phone Bill, 1932
Folder 30A – Citizen’s Plan of Chester County, 1932
Folder 31 – Summary of Specifications, Bill to Establish County Welfare Boards in Pennsylvania, 1934
Folder 31A – Chester County Girl Scout Benefit, 1934
Folder 32 – Health Council, 1934-1939, n.d.
Folder 33 – Library Commission, 1937
Folder 33A – Blank Forms, 1937-1938
Folder 34 – Pamphlet, “Report of the Work of the Chester County Children’s Society”, 1938-1939
Folder 35 – “The Case Against Poor Relief”, [1930s]
Folder 36 – Nursing Committees, Chester County, 1940
Folder 37 – Youth Guidance, [1940]
Folder 38 – List of members, Chester County Health and Social Workers Society, 1941
Folder 39 – “A Public Child Care Program for Pennsylvania”, by Helen Glenn Tyson, 1947
Folder 40 – County Health Meeting, Registration List, 1950
Folder 41 – Program, “Know Your County’s Health Resources”, 1950
Folder 42 – Statement for Purpose, [1950s]
Folder 43 – Chester County Health Fair, 1951-1952
Folder 44 – Suggested Plan for Local Health Organization, 1952
Folder 45 – List, “Special Gift”, [Fund Raising], 1952
Folder 46 – Chester County Community Services Inc., 1953
Folder 47 – Pamphlet, “How Does Social Security Affect Farm Families?,” Social Security Administration, 1955
Folder 48 – List of contributors, 1958
Folder 49 – Directory of Chester County Services, 1958
Folder 50 – Fall Conference Luncheon, 1957-1958
Folder 51 – Newsletter, 1959
Folder 52 – Day Care Association of Chester County, 1964
————
Folder 53 – Automobile Floral Procession, summary of activities, n.d.
Folder 54 – Brief Summary of Avon-Grove Activities and Institutions, n.d.
Folder 55 – Chester County School Directors, n.d.
Folder 56 – Community Self Scoring Book, n.d.
Folder 57 – Emergency Education Council, n.d.
Folder 58 – Facts in Chester County Public Health Situation, n.d.
Folder 59 – Housing Survey Questionnaire, n.d.
Folder 60 – Invitations, n.d.
Folder 61 – List, Chester County clubs, n.d.
Folder 61A – Member lists, n.d.
Folder 62 – Membership cards, n.d.
Folder 63 – Pamphlets, n.d.
Folder 64 – Possibilities for the Conservation of Human Resources, n.d.
Folder 65 – Questionnaire for Program Chairman, Division of Civics and Arts
Folder 66 – Report, incomplete, n.d.
Folder 67 – Miscellaneous
Series VI – Scrapbook and Newspaper clippings
Description: Includes one scrapbook that covers the activity of the Health and Welfare Council and other social service organizations in Chester County from 1929 to 1933. Also loose clippings from 1932 to 1939, a few from the late 1950s. Loose clippings have been photocopied.
Box 6
1) Scrapbook, 1929-1933
2) Clippings, 1932-1939 (photocopies)
3) Clippings, 1932-1939 (originals)
4) Clippings, 1955-1958
225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380 | 610-692-4800
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