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

An Amendment to the Constitution is Needed to Give the United States Power to Safeguard the Child Life of the Nation

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Pamphlet advocating for theChild Labor Amendment,passed in 1924, but never ratified.Cover cartoon by Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper cartoonist John…

Little Wanderers’ Advocate.

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The first 16 pages of this item describe the origin, mission statement, constitution, and founding board members of the Union Mission and Home for…

Striker in a gas mask, Passaic, New Jersey

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A Passaic striker wears a gas mask for protection from the effects of tear gas. Police used tear gas, clubs, and firehoses to disperse crowds of…