AV 148 Godman Guild

              AV 148
Godman Guild Audiovisual Collection
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Manuscripts/Audiovisual Collections
AV 148
Godman Guild Audiovisual Collection
Ca. 1900-1950
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Number:
AV 148
Title:
Godman Guild Audiovisual Collection
Creator:
Godman Guild Association
Dates:
Ca. 1900-1950
Media:
Photographs and nitrate negatives
Quantity:
1.5 cubic feet
Location:
Ohio Historical Center
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION
The Godman Guild was founded in a neighborhood of Columbus known as Flytown by activist Anna B. Keagle in 1898. It was originally known as the First Neighborhood Guild Association Boys’ Club. Henry C. Godman of the Godman Shoe Company donated funds to build a settlement house. This building located on W. Goodale St. was completed in 1900 and the group became the Godman Guild Association. As Flytown was a neighborhood with many recent immigrants English lessons and employment information were among the services provided for adults. The District Nurse’s Association distributed free milk to families at the Godman Guild from 1908 through the 1930s. By 1910 the Godman Guild was a leader in domestic science education, teaching classes in cooking, sewing and crafts. They also began the playground and recreation center movements in Columbus when they set up the city’s first supervised playground for children and a low cost gymnasium for boys and girls. From 1910-1920 music lessons for children, public baths and public gardens were among their expanding services.
The 1920s were a period of continued growth. The Guild worked with the District Nurse’s Association and other health and welfare agencies to provide prenatal care and basic services to mothers and infants. They also worked with The Ohio State University College of Dentistry to give people in their neighborhood free dental care. Athletic teams were organized and summer camps began at Camp Mary Orton, Camp Johnson and Camp Wheeler.