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Swedish-American
Archives of Greater Chicago Manuscript
Collection #1 Linnea
Aid Society Records, 1906-1970 SIZE:
13 Archives boxes HISTORY:
The Linnea Aid Society was founded on February 9, 1906, as a ladies
auxiliary for the newly established Englewood Hospital in Chicago.
The first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. N. A. Nelson, who
remained a prominent member of the Society until her death in 1961.
There were twenty women present, representing three churches.
At this time the name of the organization was chosen, dues were set
at ten cents a month, and the decision was made to extend an invitation to
members of other south side Lutheran, Covenant, Baptist, and Methodist
churches of Scandinavian origin to join the Society.
By March 1906, principal officers had been elected and the
organization had ninety-eight members.
Until 1909, the Linnea Society limited its charitable activities to
Englewood Hospital; furnishing one of its wards, supplying linen and
paying for the care of indigent patients.
As the Society enlarged its focus, its internal structure became
more sophisticated. Membership,
Relief, Sewing, Clothing, and Sick (later, Cheer) Committees were
appointed under the supervision of elected chairmen to administer the
basic functions of the organization.
Each of the twenty-one south side churches eventually associated
with the Linnea Society constituted a district, and district managers
served as liaison officers between the Society's Executive Board and each
of its component parts. Transplanted members of the Chicago group formed a
sister organization in Los Angeles in 1923. In 1929, the organization was
incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois.
The Linnea Aid Society's activities remained fairly consistent
throughout the years of its existence.
Monetary aid was provided for "worthy" individuals
(seldom more than $25 a month) and for charitable and evangelistic
enterprises (as much as $500 per year).
Christmas baskets were distributed as early as 1909, though they
were increasingly replaced by Christmas checks in later years.
Homes for the Aging, administered by the four denominations, were
visited regularly; admission to these homes was often secured for needy
individuals. The Sewing
Committee supplied clothing and linen for orphanages and other charitable
institutions, and the Cheer Committee visited hospitalized Society
members. Occasionally, the
Society provided money for the burial of those who had neither family nor
resources and, during the Depression, Linnea paid the fare for
impoverished young men who wished to return to Sweden The
organization acquired funds through the sale of tickets to its annual fall
concert, and through the sale of the advertisements printed in the concert
program. Donations, bequests,
collections and membership dues provided revenue to support the
organization.
In 1931 the Linnea Aid Society had 1,537 members, and distributed
over $12,000 in aid. Over 200
Christmas Baskets per year were distributed during the early 1930's.
Between 1931 and 1936, a relief station was maintained by the Society for
the distribution of food and clothing.
Regular devotional meetings were held by the Society at the
Southside Evangelistic Tent at 71st and Vincennes Avenues, Chicago.
The organization disbanded in December, 1970.
PROVENANCE:
The records of the Linnea Aid Society (Accession 71/5) were donated
to the Swedish Pioneer Historical Society Archives by the organization
upon its disbandment in 1970. ACCESS
RESTRICTIONS: There are no access
restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members
of the public. However, the
researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of
libel, privacy, and copyright that may be involved in the use of this
collection. PROCESSOR:
Joy Liljegren, June-October, 1982 ARRANGEMENT
AND DESCRIPTION OF RECORDS: The
records of the Linnea Aid Society comprise 13 archives boxes and are
arranged in five categories: Organizational Structure and History,
Membership, Relief, Publicity, and Financial Records.
The bulk of the documents date from the years 1955 through 1970. CONTAINER
LIST:
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