Jane Dent Home for the Aged records, 1898-1970

Old Resource ID was JDent

The Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People was founded in 1893 by Gabriella Knighten Smith, Fannie Mason, and others for the purpose of caring for older African Americans, without regard to creed, who were dependent on the charity of others. Mrs. Jane Dent, who chaired the House Committee for a number of years, donated stock to the Home in 1939 as part of her estate. In honor of Jane Dent, the Home first changed its name in the 1940s to the Jane Dent Home for Aged Colored People and then in the 1960s to the Jane Dent Home for the Aged. The original location of the Home, donated by Mrs. Bena Morrison, was at 510 W. Garfield Boulevard. In 1920, the Board of Directors moved the Home's location to 430-4432 Vicennes Avenue. The Home remained at that location until its closure in 1970.

The records consist mainly of annual reports, board of directors minutes, a membership directory, printed programs, and newspaper clippings. The records focus on the philanthropic work of African American women and men, clubs, churches, and social agencies who provided financial support for the Home. The annual reports detail the Home's operating budget and its financial disbursements, the association membership, volunteers, and residents, and the types of donations received monthly from 1898 to 1955.

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Jane Dent Home for the Aged records, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago

• NamesJane Dent Home for the Aged. -- Archives
• Subject
  • African Americans--Charities.
  • Almshouses.
  • Chicago African American History.
  • Nursing homes.
  • Old age homes.
  • Older African Americans.
• Geographic CoverageIllinois--Chicago.