William Byrd Community House records

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842003
901 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284-2003
Contact for questions and access:
POC: SCA Staff
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Restrictions:

No restrictions on access.

Terms of access:

No restrictions on use.

Preferred citation:

Box/folder, William Byrd Community House, M 259, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Summary

Extent:
27.98 Linear Feet
Creator:
William Byrd Community House (Richmond, Va.)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Box/folder, William Byrd Community House, M 259, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of the history, camps, committees and programs, the Oregon Hill Project, reports and budgets of the William Byrd Community House. There are also a small number of slides that show the houses involved in the housing projects of Oregon Hill and other programs.

Biographical / historical:

According to the William Byrd Community House 1975 Annual Report, "the idea of the organization was conceived early in this century when a small group of nurses, ministering to the sick on Oregon Hill, observed increasing symptoms of poverty. In an effort to help these people find new meaning for their lives, they organized clubs and classes offering recreational and educational facilities. In 1923 the WBCH, operating under a new charter of incorporation, was organized to carry on these programs. After its incorporation, the WBCH became a charter member of the National Federation of Settlements. The agency has been housed at four different locations. Since 1947 the WBCH has been housed in the Arent's Free Library, the first free library in Richmond, located at 224 South Cherry Street. One wing of the building continues to serve as a library for the neighborhood.

"Several civic organizations have played an invaluable part in our history by providing support and encouragement. The Richmond Kiwanis club helped to equip our building and playground. They so completely outfitted our playground that it was designated as the 'Kiwanis Playground.' The Cosmopolitan Club completely equipped our dental clinic and have for nearly twenty-five years continued to support this program. In 1968 the Rotary Boys Club, operating in the neighborhood since 1948, merged with WBCH. The Richmond Rotary Club phased out their support over a four year period. Many other clubs and organizations throughout the city have sent us both volunteers and material gifts over the years. At the present time, the WBCH is comprised of three integral parts: Community House activities and WBCH Field and Gymnasium, both funded by the United Way of Greater Richmond, and Arent's Free Public Library whose operating costs are paid by the St. Andrew's Association, Trustees of Miss Arent's Estate.

"The area served by the WBCH is bounded by the James River on the south, Belvidere Street on the east, Main Street on the north and Randolph Street on the west. The agency's total service area included approximately 4,400 residents."

Acquisition information:
The collection was a donation to the department authorized by the Board of Directors of the William Byrd Community House in January 1989.
Arrangement:

Collection is arranged alphabetically by series and chronologically therein. Series I--General Files,1959-1986; Series II--Constitution and By-Laws, 1960-1977; Series III--Camps, 1961-1968; Series IV--Committees and Programs, 1959-1981; Series V--Oregon Hill Project, 1954-1979; Series VI--Correspondence, 1969-1983; Series VII-Reports, 1946-1984; Series VIII--Budgets, 1949-1981; Series IX--Slides of Housing Projects

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard