Finding aid for the East End Neighborhood House Photographs

History of East End Neighborhood House

The East end Neighborhood House, officially incorporated in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1910, was established by Miss Hedwig Kosbob on the front porch of her mother's home in 1907. Groups of neighborhood girls gathered there and were taught to sew; the size of these groups increased to the point that Miss Kosbob saw the necessity for a more formal neighborhood center. she solicited money from friends and rented a store room at 89th Street and Quincy Avenue.

As the center's services were expanded to include lessons in canning and jell making for adults, the store room became unsatisfactory. In 1911, the center was moved again, this time to a vacated saloon at the intersection of Alpine and Holton streets. This location was chosen because of its proximity to the growing Hungarian and Slavic immigrant community there. At the same time, the East End Neighborhood House formed a close affiliation with Emmanuel Episcopal Church in order to secure strong organizational backing.

The need for such support faded, and the affiliation began to be restrictive in light of the large proportion of Catholic immigrants served at the East End Neighborhood House. A reorganization in 1914 resulted in a new Board of Trustees and an independent organization. During these years, cultural and recreational aspects of the settlement's program were developed and expanded to more effectively meet the needs of the people being served. In 1916, the Van Sweringen estate offered the use of the former summer home of the Van Sweringens at 2749 Woodhill Road in Cleveland. In addition, permission was granted to use the adjacent lots for playground facilities. This allowed and encouraged a great expansion of the scope of the House's programs. Title to the building was obtained in 1942, and in 1946 the lots on Shaker Boulevard were purchased down to East 103rd Street.

From 1940 to 1949, an additional residence at 2697 Woodhill Road was used for the adult programs and as living quarters for resident workers. The uncertainty of the continued availability of this second house and its much needed space provided the impetus for a building campaign in 1947 and 1948, which resulted in a modern, functional building that provided both space and facilities.

The East End Neighborhood House programs were at first geared to a very personal level, stressing individual case work. However, the Great Depression forced reconsideration of the purpose of all social work, and in 1931 emphasis was shifted to more widespread community work. The programs conducted at the House grew in size and emphasis to meet the needs of a changing neighborhood. These programs attempted to reach all age groups at various educational and social levels. Some examples of the activities included a nursery school, pre-school day care, youth canteens, summer camps, handicraft workshops, Golden Age clubs, Americanization classes, and sports programs. All work was carefully coordinated and the House worked in cooperation with various city, county, and national organizations.

Scope and Content

The East End Neighborhood House Photographs, 1910-1963, consist of over 100 unmounted, black and white photographs of activities at and facilities of East End Neighborhood House, Cleveland, Ohio. Included are views of facilities, window displays, children, classes, groups at the Woodland Hills Housing Project, parties, polio inoculations, senior groups, sports, carnivals, nursery school scenes, and Camp Mather. Includes negatives, ca. 1950-1960, of groups and activities. The photographs measure 8 x 10 inches and smaller.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of Cleveland, Ohio, and the Buckeye-Woodland neighborhood on its east side. Those studying the history of the Hungarian and Slovak immigrant communities in Cleveland will find this collection useful, as will those studying the history of the African American community in Cleveland. The collection documents the history of settlement houses in Cleveland, particularly the East End Neighborhood House.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 3568 East End Neighborhood House Records; MS 4252 East End Neighborhood House Records, Series II; and PG 153 East End Neighborhood House Photographs, Series II.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 60 East End Neighborhood House Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

These photographs were removed from MS 3568 East End Neighborhood House Records. Gift of East End Neighborhood House in 1971.

Detailed Description of The Collection