Description
The Mizpah Club was a small San Francisco women's group dedicated to helping the poor and needy of the city. The club's main
activity consisted of a group sewing circle and pledging small amounts of cash donations to emergency aid to the poor. The
collection consists of minutes, financial records, scrapbooks and a treasures bag.
Background
The Mizpah Club was a small San Francisco women's group dedicated to helping the poor and needy of the city. The Club's inaugural
meeting with its five founding members, was held on February 14, 1883. The club's main activity consisted of a group sewing
circle at its club headquarters (on Clay Street), and pledging small amounts of cash donations (gifts or from the Club's treasurer)
to emergency aid to the poor. Sewing was central to their mission. In addition to other sewing projects, the club also sewed
layettes for babies whose mothers could not afford to provide them. Each layette included a large crib blanket, two or three
smaller blankets, three gowns, three jackets, three kimonos, four shirts, three dozen diapers and also bootees and caps.
Extent
1 carton
(1 Cubic Feet)
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Availability
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.