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In his inaugural address in 1896, newly elected mayor Benjamin C. Cook said, "There are at present in our city quite a number of charitable institutions which have for their object the providing for the needy poor in our city... It is probable that these institutions pay out a yearly total sum of one hundred thousand dollars for the noble purpose of relieving the wants of the needy and the sick. There is a great deal to be said in favor of the Associated Charities..."

The first meeting was held May 25, 1896 and the Association was organized June 17, 1896. By 1907, the Associated Charities supported a "Restoration Camp" for patients suffering from tuberculosis as well as providing financial support for the poor through the sale of Red Cross stamps.

Support was also given to censorship of moving pictures, child labor laws including hours worked and health conditions as well as prohibition.

With the Depression, needy families increased the case load from 252 applications to four hundred including three hundred needy children. The Associated Charities together with the Female Charitable Society paid for 55 tons of federal coal, as well as groceries, layettes, blankets and clothing.

In 1937 and during WWII, Associated Charities assumed the agency for the national Travelers Aid in Gloucester. They were also active in aiding Merchant Marine men.

In the post WWII years, the Association has been active in Christmas dinners, children's shoes, and gift baskets. At present, the agency has found it more expedient to fund other welfare groups directly.

Gift of Associated Charities of Gloucester, Michelle Harrison, President.

Brief description: The financial records of the Gloucester branch of Associated Charities, whose primary function was to provide material assistance to Gloucester’s needy families with children.

This collection covers the period 1896-1988. It includes monthly reports, monthly financial reports, disbursements, annual reports, bank statements and tax records.

I. Monthly Business Meetings - reports

II. Financial reports/Bank statements, tax records

III. Disbursements

IV. Miscellaneous correspondence

V. Annual reports

Box 1

Series I

Folder 1 Associated Charities 1914-1931 - monthly reports

Folder 2 Monthly reports 1914-1931

Folder 3 Monthly reports 1914-1931

Folder 4 Monthly reports 1914-1931

Folder 5 Monthly reports 1949-1953

Record book - monthly reports

1934-1941

1959-1960

1962-1963

Series II

Folder 1 Financial reports 1914-1931

Folder 2 Financial reports 1914-1931

Folder 3 Financial reports

Folder 4 Monthly reports 1914-1931

Folder 5 Financial reports 1949-1953

Folder 6 Bank statements 1928

Financial reports 1937-1941

Box 2

Series II

Folder 1 Yearly financial reports 1962-1976

Folder 2 Yearly financial reports 1977-1988

Folder 3 Tax records/correspondence 1930s, 1940s

Folder 4 Bank statements, passbooks 1930s

Series III

Folder 5 Disbursements 1966-1980 - shoes, xmas meals

Folder 6 Disbursements 1966-1980 - shoes, xmas meals

Series V

Folder 7 Annual reports 1898-1922

Series IV

Folder 8 Misc. thank-you letters 1970s, 1980s

Folder 9 Misc. correspondence with donors 1930s, 1940s