St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1934-10-19
Phyllis Wheatley House
1924 1884

The youth study made many years ago by the Womens
Cooperative Alliance suggested to it's president Mrs Rob-
bins Gilman, the need of boarding home for Negro girls
intensive survey, conducted by Mrs Joseph D.
Bryan under the direction of Mrs. Gilman disclosed the
fact that the real need meeting place where Negro
boys and girls could have opportunity for wholesome
supervised recreation From this beginning there developed
the idea of settlement for Negroes Mrs. Gilman turned
naturally to the Woans Christian Association to under
take the project This appeal met with immediate
response from the Association Mrs James Paige it's presi
dent presented the Council of Social Agencies the need
of Negro settlement and appropriation granted to
carry out the project The location chosen for the settle
ment the old Taud Torah school building at 8O8 Bas
sett Place.
The Board of Directors of the settlement house
chose Head Resident W. Gertrude Brown executive
rotary of the Federation of Social Service for Negroes in
Dayton Ohio The arrival of the Head Resident conceded
with the official opening of the House October
teenth 1924 In addition to Miss Brown the staff consisted
of an office secretary and part time boys worker
The name, "Phyllis Wheatley," was chosen for the
lea on slave ship. This little emacated eight YEAR old
girl whom wanted to buy because she too weak
to do hard work. was finally sold on the auction block in
Boston to Mr. and Mrs John Wheatey for three bundles of
tobacco Phyllis appointed special maid to the Wheat
eys little daughter who only three years Phyllis
senior The little mistress grew much interested in Phyllis
and with her parents consent taught her to read and write
With Phyllis natural ability and retentve mind she had
twenyone she began to write 1773 first
of poems published Because of her Christian char
tage of opportunities seemed quite fitting to call the
house Phyis Wheatey in the hope that the people who
within it's walls would catch the inspiration of her
life
Phyllis Wheatley House is wholly supported by the
Community Fund, governed by Board of Directors with
the assistance of the Phyllis Wheatey House Auxiliary
Special committees of the Auxiliary responsible for
house membership and assist with the house and
activities.
On the sixteenth day of March, 1884, articles of ncor
poration filed under the of Phyllis Wheatley
Settlement House Incorporated.
The facilities of the House outgrown. In
1928 special committee from the Boards of Phyllis Wheat
ley House and the Woman's Christian Association
appointed to launch building fund campaign with Mrs.
James Paige chairman, and Mrs Hugh N. Mcdonald
chairman of the building committee $4,000 raised
for the Phyllis Wheatley House. The initial gift,
$4,000, made by the late Mrs. Mary T. Welcome The
second gift $5OOOO from Miss Susan Kngman Each
of Mrs Welcomes sisters, Mrs Frances NJ Cressy, the
Misses Laura A. and Clara L. Taylor $4,000 and their
brother, Mr. George R. Taylor $500 The Woans Chris
tian Association gave $4,000 The late Mrs H. c. Harri
dollar for dollar given by Negroes, the
amounting to $387441 long list of friends added to
these initial gifts.
The old building wrecked in April 1929 and the
cornerstone of the building at 800 Aldrich Avenue
North laid Sunday afternoon, July fourteenth at