Archives West Finding Aid
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Workmen's Circle/Der Arbeter Ring Branch 304 records, 1909-1971
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring. Branch No. 304 (Seattle, Wash.)
- Title
- Workmen's Circle/Der Arbeter Ring Branch 304 records
- Dates
- 1909-1971 (inclusive)19091971
- Quantity
- 10 cubic feet (15 boxes, plus one oversize folder)
- Collection Number
- 1859 (Accession No. 1859-001)
- Summary
- Records of a mutual benefit society and cultural-social organization for members of the Jewish working class
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Open to all users.
Material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
- Languages
- English, Yiddish
Historical NoteReturn to Top
In April of 1892, a group of Jewish garment workers from New York City's Lower East Side formed a mutual aid society called the Workingmen’s Circle. This small collective soon grew to a membership of 300, and it officially became known as the Workmen’s Circle (Der Arbeter Ring in Yiddish) in 1900. The Workmen’s Circle provided benefits that poor immigrants were otherwise denied: life insurance, health benefits, unemployment relief, homes for the aged, and funeral assistance. By 1920 there were over 80,000 members, and The Workmen’s Circle had become one of the largest Jewish organizations in America.
The programs initiated by the Workmen's Circle encompassed a host of social, cultural, and political issues deemed important to the Jewish community. In addition to promoting labor rights and the strengthening of trade unions, the organization provided educational and cultural programs that emphasized Jewish heritage through theater, music, literature, summer camps, and Yiddish instruction. The Workmen's Circle also sold war bonds to provide support during both World Wars, and partnered with other Jewish organizations to actively promote and fund the settlement and expansion of Israel during the early years of its existence. After World War II, the organization de-emphasized their socialist leanings in an effort to distance themselves from communist affiliation.
The Seattle, Washington branch of the Workmen's Circle -- Branch 304 -- was organized in 1909, and their first location was a rented store on 14th Avenue and Main Street. In 1920, the members bought a building at 120 21st Avenue that had previously been a blacksmith shop. Property was then purchased for the organization at 1614 East Union Street in 1937, with the grand opening of this location taking place in December 1942. Activities in Seattle included summer picnics, festive observances of Jewish holidays, New Years Eve celebrations, banquets, and lectures. Though Branch 304 eventually closed its doors in 1973, the Workmen's Circle organization continues to operate in several cities across the country.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Workmen's Circle Records collection consists of papers gathered by the Seattle branches of the organization during their sixty-year lifespan. Materials include: biographical and historical data and correspondence (1925-1971), financial records (1909-1969), tax records (1943-1961), minutes (1941-1968), membership lists (1909-1960), and handbills (1932), among other items.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
This collection forms part of Washington State Jewish Archives.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Donated by Ben Stein, 1972-1973. One folder containing five handbills advertising the 23rd annual Picnic and Dance donated by Bill Clifford on July 27, 2007.
Separated Materials
Material Described Separately:Workmen's Circle/Der Arbeter Ring Branch 304 photograph collection (PH0769)
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Seattle BranchesReturn to Top
Materials related to branches 304 (men) and 304B (women) of the Workmen's Circle organization in Seattle, Washington.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Charters of Workmen's Circle Branches 304 and
304B |
1909, 1929 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/1-3 | Biographical and Historical Data |
undated |
1/4 | Biographical and Historical Data of Workmen's Circle
Branch 304B (Women's Club) |
undated |
1/5 | By Laws |
undated |
Incoming Letters |
||
Box/Folder | ||
1/6 | American Financial and Development Corporation for
Israel |
1953 |
American Red Magen David for Israel |
1961 | |
American Organization for Rehabilitation Through
Training Federation |
1954 | |
Amon, Sol (Mrs.) |
1954 | |
Anderson Water Tours |
1934-1937 | |
Aronson, H. |
1956 | |
Aschert Bros. |
1951 | |
Benezia, Jack L. |
1953 | |
Bergman, Fred H. |
undated | |
Bernstein, Martin |
1953 | |
Blatt, J. |
1953 | |
Bronx I. L. Peretz School |
undated | |
Bronx Workmen's Circle School No. 15 |
undated | |
B'nai B'rith Lodge 503 |
1948-1953 | |
Caplin, Louis |
1953 | |
Caroline Kline Galland Home |
1964 | |
Caroline Kline Galland Home Building Fund |
1963-1971 | |
China, Republic of - Consulate |
1937 | |
Citizens Federal Savings |
1963 | |
City of Hope |
1955-1957 | |
Cleveland Workmen's Circle Chorus and Mandolin
Ensemble |
1954 | |
Cohan, A. and Co. |
1936 | |
Cohan, Helen K. |
1956 | |
Cohan's Camera Center |
1971 | |
Cohn, Merle D. |
1948 | |
Credit Union National Association |
1933 | |
Credit Union National Extension Bureau |
1925 | |
Development Corporation for Israel |
1964 | |
Diamond, Izze |
1952 | |
Diamond. Josef |
1965 | |
Dimarco Reception Committee |
1954 | |
Docter, Harry |
undated | |
Docter, Raymond H. |
1956 | |
Dore, John F. |
1933 | |
Durabuilt Luggage Mfg. Co., Inc. |
1935 | |
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
Form letter
|
1954 | |
Federated Jewish Fund and Council |
1953-1959 | |
Franco and Bensussen |
1957 | |
Fraternal Center of Brooklyn |
undated | |
Free Voice of Labor |
undated | |
Friends of Israel Histadrut, Seattle
Chapter |
1957-1960 | |
Gediman, Arthur M. |
1953 | |
Gierowitz, Nathan |
1957 | |
Glazer, Mary |
1963 | |
Goldfarb, Samuel E. |
1953-1956 | |
Goldstein, Stanley |
undated | |
Gordan, S. A. |
1954-1957 | |
Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound |
1953 | |
Gulbranson, J. R. |
1953 | |
Gustanoff, Abe L. |
1953 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/7 | Habunim |
1957 |
Hall, Hazel C. |
1951 | |
Hanehin, Harry |
1962 | |
Health Insurance Institution - Kupet -
Holim |
1965 | |
Hosiery Workers, American Federation of |
1954 | |
Israel, Consulate of |
1952 | |
Israel Histadrut Campaign |
1963-1964 | |
Israelite Press L. T. D. |
1956 | |
Jacobs, Jerome B. |
1952 | |
Jacqueline F. Rubenstein Memorial
Committee |
1968 | |
Jewish Club of Washington |
1957 | |
Jewish Community Center, Seattle |
1965 | |
Jewish Community Centers Building Fund
Campaign |
1965 | |
Jewish Consumptive Relief Society, Seattle Ladies
Auxiliary |
1956 | |
Jewish Chronic Disease Hospital |
1956 | |
Jewish Institute for the Blind |
1962 | |
Jewish Labor Committee |
1943-1958 | |
Jewish National Home for Asthmatic
Children |
1954-1956 | |
Jewish Welfare Board, National |
1952, 1957 | |
Jewish Yearbook of the Northwest |
undated | |
Jews. Congregation Temple de Hirsch |
1955-1960 | |
Jews. Herzal Jewish Culture Foundation |
1956 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/8 | Kaminoff, Ida |
1956 |
Kelly, Marguerite |
1957 | |
Kennedy, John F.
Form letters
|
1961-1963 | |
Klein, Isadore |
1956 | |
Klein, Sarah |
1956 | |
Kossen, Carl K. |
1960-1961 | |
Kossen, Jack |
1954-1955 | |
Kraft, Rose |
1961 | |
Kraus and Sons |
1938 | |
Lane, W. D. |
1925 | |
Leather Workers International Union of America,
AFL-CIO |
1924 | |
Leavitt, Ida |
undated | |
Leavitt, Sydney |
1963 | |
Lemchen, Phillip (Mrs.) |
undated | |
Levison, Bernard |
1956 | |
Lindsay, Margaret |
1954 | |
Lycette, Diamond and Sylvester |
1952-1964 | |
Malatoff, M. J. |
1951 | |
Martin |
1953 | |
Maslan and Maslan |
1947-1950 | |
Maslan, Maslan and Hanan |
1954-1963 | |
Mezistrano, Joe |
1953 | |
Miller, H. |
1958 | |
Miller, Sam |
1957 | |
Mosler, George R. |
1960 | |
National Committee for Labor Israel |
1957 | |
National Committee for Labor Israel
Histadrut |
1963 | |
National Council of Jewish Women |
1957 | |
National Jewish Hospital of Denver |
1954, 1959 | |
Newell, A. B. and Son |
1927-1931 | |
Northern Pacific Railway Co. |
1964 | |
Pacific First Federal Savings |
1963 | |
Peoples National Bank of Washington |
1952 | |
Premier Artists Representatives |
1951 | |
Press, Lou |
1959 | |
Prottas and Levitt |
1954 | |
Puget Sound Mutual Savings Bank |
1963 | |
Raine, Jacob |
1952-1957 | |
Radinsky, Jack |
1962 | |
Ross, Morris |
1962 | |
Rubin, Sam and Clara |
undated | |
Russell Sage Foundation, Division of Remedial
Loans |
1925 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/9 | Saltman, Leah |
undated |
Semon, Stuart |
1956 | |
Seattle Fire Department |
1946 | |
Seattle Lighting Department |
1939 | |
Seattle Public Schools |
1959-1961 | |
Seattle Hebrew School |
1953, 1965 | |
Seattle - King County Department of Public
Health |
1951 | |
Seattle Labor College |
1927 | |
Seattle Zionist Council |
1952-1956 | |
Sherr, Harry |
1929 | |
Shulman, Abe |
1945 | |
Shulman, L. Michael |
1944-1945 | |
Silverman, Libby |
1968 | |
Stern, Will |
1957-1959 | |
Stutzker, A. |
1943 | |
Sterling, Bernard |
1951 | |
Sunnyshore Acres |
1951 | |
Trade Union Institute |
1941 | |
Turner, Ida |
1964 | |
Tussman, Louis |
1957 | |
Twersky, Meyer (Mrs.) |
1953 | |
United EIAS Service |
1955 | |
United Jewish Appeal |
1953-1957 | |
United States - Information Agency |
1962 | |
United States - Labor Department |
1961 | |
United States - State Department |
1935 | |
United States - Treasury Department |
1932-1944 | |
Vziel, Leon E. |
1961-1963 | |
Victor |
1953-1957 | |
Volstein, L. |
1939 | |
Wagner, Joseph H. |
1955 | |
Washington - Licenses Department |
1960 | |
Washington - Liquor Control Board |
1934 | |
Washington Division of Savings and Loan
Associations |
1954-1958 | |
Washington Mutual Savings Bank |
1963 | |
Weintraub, Meyer |
undated | |
Wendrow, N. |
1953 | |
West, George R. |
1955 | |
Who's Who in Jewish Labor |
undated | |
Weiner, Morris |
1943 | |
Workmen's Circle Branch 305E |
1953 | |
Workmen's Circle Branch 578, 685 |
1949, 1964 | |
Workmen's Circle Home for the Aged (N. Y. Branches,
Inc.) |
1956 | |
Workmen's Circle School #5 |
1954 | |
Workmen's Circle National Campaign for Cancer Hospital
at City of Hope |
1950-1951 | |
Workmen's Circle Sanitarium |
1939 | |
Yaffee, Jack |
1953-1956 | |
Young Circle League |
undated | |
Unidentified |
1956 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/10 | Hebrew Sheltering and Immigration Aid
Society |
1926, undated |
1/11 | Jewish Family and Child Service |
1950-1954 |
1/12 | Mitchell, Hugh B. |
1946 |
1/13 | Ringold, Solie |
1961-1965 |
Box/Folder | ||
2/1-3 | Incoming Letters - Workmen's Circle National
Office |
1930-1971 |
Incoming Letters - 304B
304B was the women's organization
|
||
Box/Folder | ||
2/4 | Chanin, N. |
1945 |
Cooper, Dora |
1961 | |
Federated Jewish Fund and Council |
1957 | |
Workmen's Circle National Office |
1955-1959 | |
Incoming Letters - 304Y
304Y was the youth organization
|
||
Box/Folder | ||
2/5 | Baskin, Joseph |
1942 |
Knox, Israel |
1942 | |
Box/Folder | ||
2/6-10 | Outgoing Letters |
1925-1970 |
2/11 | Outgoing Letters - 304B |
1931-1961 |
3 | Yiddish Correspondence |
1927-1969 |
4/1 | Tax Records |
1943-1961 |
4/2 | Legal Documents |
1914-1966 |
4/3 | Insurance Policies |
1939-1961 |
4/4-6 | Financial Records |
1920-1971 |
4/7 | Financial Records - 304B |
1938 |
5-6 | Financial Records - Membership Ledgers |
1909-1960 |
6 | Financial Records - Cash books |
1909-1960 |
7-8 | Financial Records - Receipt Books |
1942-1971 |
8 | Financial Records - Cash Books |
1951-1969 |
9/1 | Minutes Book |
1956-1957 |
9/2 | Minutes |
1941-1968 |
9/3 | Minutes - 304B
in Yiddish
|
1937-1946 |
9/4-5 | Reports |
1940-1962 |
9/6 | Resolutions |
1929, 1942, 1952, 1963 |
9/7 | News Releases |
1949-1962 |
9/8 | Writings |
1954-1962, undated |
9/9 | Writings - Invitations |
1943-1959 |
9/10-11 | Writings - Yiddish |
1957-1965, undated |
10/1 | Membership Campaign Materials |
1951-1956 |
10/2 | Election Ballots |
1938-1948 |
10/3-4 | Bulletins |
1925-1967 |
10/5-19 | Newsletters and Bulletins - Other Branches and
National |
1929-1965 |
11/1-2 | Ephemera - Promotional |
1926-1962 |
11/3-4 | Ephemera - Other Branches and National |
1925-1961 |
11/5-6 | Ephemera - Yiddish |
undated |
11/7-9 | Ephemera - Jewish, Non-Workmen's Circle,
Seattle |
1929-1965 |
11/10-11 | Ephemera - Jewish, Non-Workmen's Circle,
Non-Seattle |
1917-1966 |
12/1-7 | Ephemera - Jewish, Non-Workmen's Circle,
Non-Seattle |
1917-1966 |
12/8-9 | Ephemera - Socialist and Labor-Related |
1927-1954 |
12/10-13 | Programs |
1927-1960 |
13/1 | Programs |
1927-1960 |
13/2 | Souvenir Programs |
1927-1949 |
13/3 | Programs - Other Branches and National |
1933 |
13/4-7 | Souvenir - Other Branches and National |
1925-1962 |
13/8-10 | Lists |
1909-1964 |
13/11 | Notes |
1934-1967 |
14/1 | Notes (Yiddish) |
undated |
14/2 | Meeting Notices |
1931-1953 |
14/3 | Meeting Notices - Lectures |
1927-1931 |
14/4-5 | Clippings |
1933-1956, 1968 |
14/6 | Photographs
Placeholder only; materials relocated to PH Coll 769
|
1931-1935, undated |
14/7 | Awards and Certificates |
1922-1947 |
14/8-9 | Memorabilia |
1931-1952 |
14/10 | Blank Forms |
undated |
14/11 | Insurance - Other Branches and National |
1913-1959 |
14/12 | Educational Materials - Other Branches and
National |
undated |
14/13 | Miscellaneous Re: Genocide Legislation and Immigration
Policy |
undated |
15/1 | Youth Camp |
undated |
Series 2: Union Street BuildingReturn to Top
Materials related to the purchase and renovation of the Workmen's Circle property at 1614 East Union Street in Seattle, Washington.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
15/2 | Specifications |
1937-1939 |
15/3 | Minutes |
1937-1941 |
15/4 | General Correspondence |
1938-1943 |
15/5 | Agendas |
1942 |
15/6 | Financial Records |
1938-1942 |
15/7 | Contracts |
1938-1939 |
15/8 | Resolutions |
1940 |
15/9 | Notes |
1941, undated |
Series 3: Northwestern District CommitteeReturn to Top
Materials related to a regional decision-making arm of the Workmen's Circle organization, established July 27, 1924 in Seattle, Washington.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
15/10-13 | General Correspondence |
1934-1958 |
15/14 | Minutes |
1940-1941 |
15/15 | Financial Records |
1957-1961 |
15/16 | Lists |
1932, undated |
15/17 | Clippings |
undated |
15/18 | Memorabilia |
1921-1953 |
15/19 | Photographs
Placeholder only; materials relocated to PH Coll 769
|
|
15/20 | Ephemera
Includes 5 handbills advertising the 23rd annual Picnic and
Dance
|
1932-1950 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Corporate Names
- Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring. Branch No. 304 (Seattle, Wash.)--Archives
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Stein, Ben, approximately 1890- (creator)
Corporate Names
- Federated Jewish Fund & Council of Greater Seattle (creator)
- Jewish Labor Committee (U.S.) (creator)
- Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)