New Century Guild

New Century Guild
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Pennsylvania state historical marker
New Century Guild, moved here in 1906
Location	1307 Locust St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	39°56′48.63″N 75°9′45.76″W / 39.9468417°N 75.1627111°WCoordinates: 39°56′48.63″N 75°9′45.76″W / 39.9468417°N 75.1627111°W
Architect	Bunting & Shrigley
Architectural style	Italianate
NRHP Reference #	93001611
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	November 4, 1993[1]
Designated NHL	November 4, 1993[2]
Designated PHMC	June 19, 1997[3]

New Century Guild, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the earliest, largest, and most successful organizations of the many created across the country in the late 19th century that have dealt with the problems that arose as women in considerable numbers entered the labor force. From its founding in 1882 by Eliza Sproat Turner (1826–1903), the guild's goal has been to address the specific needs of "self-supporting women."

History

In 1882 Eliza Sproat Turner and other members of the New Century Club formed a committee for working women named the New Century Guild.^[4] It grew out a collection of evening classes for working women that began in 1880. She was assisted by artist Gabrielle D. Clements and Florence Kelley (later Mrs. Wischnevetsky).^[5] Its purpose was to provide education and opportunities for working women to learn a vocation. Soon after the Guild became a separate organization and it needed its own building by 1892 to support programs and classes. The New Century Trust was formed in 1893 to facilitate funding for its first building.^[4]

Historic building

The four-story building that the guild has occupied in Philadelphia since 1906 was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993.^[2][6]

References

1. National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
2. "New Century Guild". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
3. "PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
4. "New Century Trust". Hidden City Philadelphia. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
5. Anne H. Wharton (January–December 1892). "Business Training and Opportunities for Women". Arthur's Home Magazine. 62. Philadelphia: T.S. Arthur & Sons. p. 113.
6. Page Putnam Miller and Jill S. Mesirow (April 9, 1992). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination:" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 5 photos, exterior, from 1992 (32 KB)

External links

• The New Century Trust, legal successor to the New Century Guild
• The New Century Trust Records (1854-2004), including organizational records, photographs and other materials related to The New Century Trust and New Century Guild, are available for research use at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.