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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

Folder 10: Peter A. Chisholm Fund 2008 -- 2011

Folder 11: By-Laws 1977 -- 1994

Box 3

Series V

Folder 1: President’s Notes 1963

Folder 2: Materials Donated to Cape Ann Museum 2003 – 2023

Folder 3: Annual Meeting Records 1956 – 1992

Folder 4: Annual Meetings 1991 –2004

Folder 5: Annual Meeting 2020

Folder 6: December Meeting 2020

Folder 7: Annual Meeting 2019

Folder 8: December Meeting 2018

Folder 9: Annual Meeting: 2018

Folder 10: Mixed Meetings 2017

Folder 11: Mixed Meetings 2016

Folder 12: December Meeting 2015

Folder 13: Annual Meeting 2014

Folder 14: December Meeting 2014

Folder 15: Mixed Meeting 2013

Folder 16: December Meeting 2012

Folder 17: Annual Meeting 2012

Folder 18: December Meeting 2011

Folder 19: Annual Meeting 2011

Folder 20: December Meeting 2010

Folder 21: Annual Meeting 2010

Folder 22: December Meeting 2009

Folder 23: Annual Meeting 2009

Folder 24: December Meeting 2008

Folder 25: December Meeting 2007

Folder 26: Annual Meeting 2007

Folder 27: December Meeting 2006

Folder 28: December Meeting 2005

Folder 29: Annual Meeting 2004

Folder 30: Mixed Meetings 2004 – 2005

Folder 31: December Meeting 2003

Folder 32: Annual Meeting 2003

Box 4

Series V

Folder 1: Annual Meetings 1942 – 1962

Folder 2: Finacial Records 2007 – 2016

Folder 3: Regular Meetings 1972 – 1990

Folder 4: Regular Meetings 2007 – 2016

Folder 5: Regular Meetings 1972 – 1990

Folder 6: Michelle Harrison Notes 2002 -- 2022