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

Virginia Federation of Labor Convention Badge. Bristol, Va., April 3, 4, 5, 1922

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Virginia Federation of Labor delegate's convention badge. Delegates represented local unions at the state gathering. The Virginia Federation of Labor…

Captain America Goes to War Against Drugs, No.1 April 1994: High Heat

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1990 giveaway comic book published by Marvel Comics in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Captain America helps a young baseball…

Child Labor in Virginia. NCLC Pamphlet No. 171

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Pamphlet by Alexander Jeffrey McKelway, Secretary for the Southern States, National Child Labor Committee. With photographs by Lewis W. Hine, staff…