National Historic Landmark - New Century Guild

This building has served as the location for the New Century Guild from 1906 to the present.

Founded in 1882, this organization was one of the earliest, largest, and most successful of the many created across the country in the late 19th century to deal with the serious problems that arose as more and more women entered the labor force.

The New Century Guild explicitly stated from the outset that its goal was to address the specific needs of self-supporting women, a bold step at a time when many Americans believed no self-respecting woman would work for pay outside the home.

The New Century Guild offered woman a wide range of comprehensive services, which included a newspaper for working women (founded in 1887 and still published today); a research section that collected statistics on working women; evening classes for pleasure and professional development; a large library with full-time librarian; a restaurant that offered noonday meals to working women at a modest price; an assembly hall; guest rooms for members; and a health insurance plan.

Courtesy National Park Service National Historical Landmarks