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

Anti-School Busing Protest, February 1972

Help save Freedom anti busing car P_74_11_18n_rsz.jpg

Black and white photograph of a man and a woman in a car during an anti-busing motorcade to Washington, D.C. The car is driving past the U.S. Supreme…

Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus (LAGPAC) Voter Registration Poster

Tulane Univ_LAGPAC poster_larc crop rsz.jpg

Poster published by the Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus (LAGPAC) announcing extended voter registration hours.The Louisiana Lesbian…

Suffrage Rally, May 1, 1915, Richmond, Va. [photographs]

VCU_M 9 Box 239 ESL of Va suffrage rally Capitol Square near the Washington Monumnent May 1 1915 rsz.jpg

These photographs document a suffrage rally held on the south portico of the Virginia Capitol on May 1, 1915. Dr. E. N. Calisch, rabbi of Congregation…