1895

Dr. John Lovejoy Elliott rented a room in Chelsea— then a tough, working-class neighborhood—and began his lifelong experiment with “neighborliness.”

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1895-1897

In the next few years, Dr. Elliott established numerous clubs and programs for boys and girls, working women, and families.

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1897

New York City’s first kindergarten, vocational training, athletics, and a library were established by a growing staff of volunteers.

These disparate programs merged in 1897 to become Hudson Guild.

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1900

He encouraged a small group of rowdy local boys to form a boxing club, titled the “Hurly Burlies,” under his leadership.

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1910

The popularity of Hudson Guild programs prompted the settlement to move several times in its first decade. Eventually a permanent Hudson Guild building was erected at 436 West 27th Street. Its five stories housed a library, print shop, club rooms, and baths.

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