Co-Funding the Hull House
In 1889, Jane Addams along with Ellen Gates Starr opened one of the first settlements in the United States and North America, the Hull House. This house, named after its original owner, provided services for the immigrants and less fortunate people of the Chicago area. After making speeches about the needs of the neighborhood, raising money, and convincing wealthier families to help, Addams’ vision finally became a reality. “To provide a center for a higher civic and social life; to institute and maintain educational and philanthropic enterprises, and to investigate and improve the conditions in the industrial districts of Chicago.” These words spoken by Addams show the affection she had for others, and the leadership she was willing to provide to help them. After many years, the Hull House grew to include more than 10 buildings and services such as child care, educational courses, an art gallery, a public kitchen, gymnasium, swimming pool, music school, drama club, and several other programs. There were kindergarten classes in the morning, club meetings for older children in the afternoon, and for adults in the evening more clubs and courses became night school. By its second year of existence, the Hull House was host to two thousand people every week. Hull House members even began to bring attention to national issues. They wanted the state government to pass reform legislation. They convinced Illinois to pass child labor laws, compulsory education laws, and laws protecting women and their children. Many families in Chicago were only able to survive because of the basic aid that was provided in this institution. In 1963, the construction of the University of Illinois Chicago campus forced the Hull House to move its headquarters, and, unfortunately, most of the organization’s original buildings were demolished as a result. Although, the Hull residence was then transformed into a monument honoring Addams that remains standing today.