Explore the history of American social reform and social services 

The Social Welfare History Image Portal brings together photographs, pamphlets, artifacts and documents chronicling the history of the nation's response to human need. This history includes the work of volunteer organizations, reform movements, social workers, and government legislation and systems.

Featured Items

Father Forgive them for they know not what they do / Educate Don't Segregate [1963 Farmville, Va. protests]

VCU_Rev Goodwin Douglas Clara Gibson Main St Farmville July 1963 rsz.jpg

Protesters in front of Prince Edward County Courthouse, Main St., Farmville, Va., July 1963.The Rev. Goodwin Douglas, pastor of Beulah AME, with…

Annual Report of the Refuge in the City of Boston and the Bethesda Society, 1912 [selected pages]

Simmons_Refuge and Bethesda Society_AR_1912_cover 01 rsz.jpg

This document details information regarding the Refuge's and the Bethesda Society’s yearly financial expenses, donations, and membership, while also…

Wages of Saleswomen: What the United States Government Says and What the Consumers' League Knows

M 86 Box 1 Wages of Saleswomen p1 rsz.jpg

This pamphlet by the Consumers' League is an analysis of the 1907-1910 Bureau of Labor report on the condition of woman and child wage earners in the…