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<\/a>The first small beginnings of the Needlework Guild were not in this country. They go back to a day in Wales in the early 1880\u2019s when a mine disaster left scores of children homeless. A generous hearted English woman, Lady Wolverton, solicited the aid of her friends in founding an orphanage at Iwerne, Dorchestershire, England, where these children could be fed and sheltered.<\/p>\nWith the completion of this building in 1882 there came the problems of clothing, bedding and other articles essential to even the meager existence they would have there. Once again Lady Wolverton turned to her friends for aid with this plea, \u201cHelp to make and care for the children\u2019s wardrobe by giving two new garments\u201d. It is said that these friends knitted and sewed until the children were completely outfitted.<\/p>\n
Lady Wolverton\u2019s little group of sewers and knitters, whom she had named \u201cThe Needlework Guild\u201d, attracted attention not only among the townspeople, but throughout all England as well. Finally, under royal auspices, the London Needlework Guild was formed. And then an American woman, Mrs. Alanson Hartpeuce, as she traveled through England, became so impressed by the work of this group that she brought back to America word of its activities. In consequence her niece, Miss Laura Safford (later Mrs. John Wood Stewart) with the help of her friends formed \u201cThe Needlework Guild of Philadelphia\u201d, the forerunner of the present national organization.<\/p>\n
This Philadelphia group aimed to have each one of its members contribute annually two or more new articles of wearing apparel or household linen. The principle of contributing \u201cnew\u201d articles was important since the pride of possession of a new garment served to boost the morale of the needy recipients.<\/p>\n
By 1891 the charitable work of the Needlework Guild of Philadelphia had spread to such an extent that its leaders decided to change its name to the more comprehensive one of \u201cThe Needlework Guild of America\u201d. Five years later this non-sectarian organization was formally incorporated \u201cfor the purpose of collecting new garments and distributing them to hospitals, homes and other charities and of forming and governing branches of the said Guild organized for similar work\u201d. By the turn of the century many new branches were being formed in towns and cities throughout the United States. To meet the financial problems of this expansion, membership was now granted to those who wished to contribute towards the extension and maintenance of the work. Thus many men became supporters of the Needlework Guild.<\/p>\n
By 1907 the Guild had become affiliated with the American Red Cross in order to cooperate with the latter \u201cin times of international, national and local disaster\u201d. In 1909 it also became affiliated with the General Federation of Women\u2019s Clubs and in 1906 had become a member of the National Conference of Social Work.<\/p>\n
Its activities were far from routine, as witnessed by the part it played in relief work during the Johnstown and Dayton floods, the San Francisco earthquake and fire and many other lesser known local disasters. At the outbreak of World War I workrooms were set up in Lyons, France, to help those left homeless, while in New York the War Relief Department was established, continuing to render assistance to the Allied countries as late as 1931. During World War II the most important work of the Needlework Guild was to provide clothing for the families of American servicemen. This was a gigantic project which required the combined efforts of all the branches of the Needlework Guild.<\/p>\n