An Inventory of the Friends' Home for Children (“Friendly Acres”) Records, 1881-1988
General International Standard for Archival Description
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081-1399 U.S.A.
Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by Apex Data Services, December 2000.
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Records, 1881-1988
Friends' Home for Children
Biographical History for: Records, 1881-1988
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE Friends' Home for Children (“Friendly Acres”) was established in 1881 in Philadelphia by Hicksite Quakers. Rebecca Walker was its primary founder and the first teacher. The Home was a residential facility for orphans and other children in need, modeled on a homelike environment rather than the large institutional more typical of the era. Young children, generally between the ages of five and twelve, came under the care of the Home until their situation allowed them to find a permanent home or foster home, or be placed in an apprenticeship or other educational program. The Home was administered by a Board of Managers which originally was composed entirely of members of the Society of Friends. It was first located in a rented building at 3401 Germantown Avenue. In 1885, it was relocated to 4011 Aspen Street. In 1888, this property was purchased from Mrs. Catherine Wentz, who donated half the purchase price. In 1930, Mrs. Bertha Fullmer donated a farm at Gilbertsville, Montgomery County. This became a summer camp, “Camp Sommerdale,” a summer facility for the children. In 1947, Friends' Home for Children moved to a location outside of the City, at 900 South Avenue, Secane, in Delaware County. The sale of the Aspen Street property and Camp Sommerdale provided the funds for the purchase of the new facility which was given the name “Friendly Acres.” While maintaining ties to the Society of Friends, the Home became non-sectarian over the years. As attitudes towards the care of children changed and costs soared, it was decided in 1979 to phase out the residential program, and the name was changed to Friendly Acres Community Services with its mission focused on community programs, such as day care and senior services. In 1988, Friendly Acres Community Services merged with the Community Y of Eastern Delaware County, another community service organization. The merger afforded the building of a new facility on the site, the Ridley Area YMCA, a branch of the Community Y of Eastern Delaware County. With this merger, Friends' Home for Children and its successor, Friendly Acres Community Services, ceased to exist.
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS This collection contains records of Friends' Home for Children, a residential facility for orphans and children in need, established in 1881 by Hicksite Quakers. The collection includes minutes of Board of Managers (1883-1937), miscellaneous material, and photographs. Arrangement within each series is chronological.
Friends' Home for Children -- Archives
Charities -- Pennsylvania
Quakers -- Pennsylvania
Quakers -- Societies, etc.
Quakers -- Charities
Quakers -- Charitable and social work
Women in charitable work -- Pennsylvania
Children -- Institutional care -- Pennsylvania
Youth -- Social Services
Pennsylvania -- Charitable and Social Work
Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Quakers
Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Children -- Institutional care
Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Charities
Secane (Pa.) -- Quakers
Society of Friends -- Pennsylvania
Orphanages -- Pennsylvania
Nonprofit corporations -- Pennsylvania
Friendly Acres (Secane, Pa.)
Friendly Acres Community Services
series
Ser. 1. Official Records, 1883-1977
Charter and by-laws
Creation of Charter and by-laws
Time of Creation of Charter and by-laws
Minutes, Board of Managers
Creation of Minutes, Board of Managers
Time of Creation of Minutes, Board of Managers
Constitution and By-laws and Minutes
Creation of Constitution and By-laws and Minutes
Time of Creation of Constitution and By-laws and Minutes
Minutes, 1895-1932
Minutes
Creation of Minutes
Time of Creation of Minutes
Includes loose duplicates.
Loose rough minutes, incomplete, removed from Minute Book 1925-1932
Creation of Loose rough minutes, incomplete, removed from Minute Book 1925-1932
Time of Creation of Loose rough minutes, incomplete, removed from Minute Book 1925-1932
Ser. 2. Miscellaneous, 1885-1982, n.d.
75th Anniversary booklet
Creation of 75th Anniversary booklet
Time of Creation of 75th Anniversary booklet
Centennial material
Creation of Centennial material
Time of Creation of Centennial material
Brochures, etc.
Clippings
Artifacts
Removed to Artifact Collection.
Pair of candlesticks
2 school bells
Press, Friends' Home for Children
Ser. 3 Photographs, 1896-1980, n.d.
Removed to PA 76.
Photographs of the presidents of the Board, 1896-1967:
Eavenson, Sarah T., M.D. 1896-1899
Bacon, Thomas P. 1900-1920
Hall, Jay Lee 1923-1926
Edwards, Franklin D. 1927-1944
Paxson, Thomas D. 1945-1947
Woolford, John R. 1947-1967
Mock-up of 75th Anniversary program 1956
Includes mounted 11×14 photos
Photos of building on South Avenue, children and “Friendly Acres” street number and logo
“Friendly Acres” residence n.d.
Miscellaneous photos 1970s of a variety of activities
Twenty-nine 3-1/2×5 black and white photos and negatives, unidentifiedca. 1980?
Miscellaneous negatives and slide
Black and white photos, 5×7 and smaller1970s
Only a few dated and identified. Children, staff, activities
8×10 and larger black and white photos a few dated 1950, 1954, 1955
Only a few dated and identified. Children at work and play at residence on South Avenue.