• Collection ID 1986.0277
  • Creator Names Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum.
  • Title Chapin Hall for Children photograph collection [graphic].
  • Dates 1918-1982, bulk 1930-1973.
  • Physical description
    • 220 photographic prints : b&w ; 11 x 14 in. or smaller.
    • 208 photographic prints : col. ; 16 x 21 cm. (6 x 8 in.) or smaller.
    • 3 albums (121 photographic prints) : few col. ; 31 x 25.5 cm. (12 x 10 in.) or smaller.
    • 1 negative : nitrate ; 5 x 7 in.
    • 3 folders of transparencies : slide, col. ; 35 mm.
    • 1 folder of non-graphic material.
  • Collection arrangement Organization: By topic.
  • Access and usage restrictions
    • Advance appointment required to view color material in cold storage; please email research@chicagohistory.org.
    • Nitrate negative closed pending digitization, but there is a copy photoprint in the collection.
  • Collection summary Views concerning a charitable social service organization founded in 1860 as the Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum, and known informally as the Chapin Hall for Children, to provide day-care services for working mothers and eventually served as an orphanage. Primarily shows children participating in holiday celebrations, birthday parties, talent shows, picnics, dancing, gardening, and graduation programs. Includes many informal portraits of children and staff, a few formal class pictures from 1970s, shots of the Chapin Hall building (built by Holabird and Root in 1931 at 2800 West Foster and demolished in 1985) and surrounding buildings and grounds. Most images unidentified.
  • Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Credit photographer.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Chapin Hall for Children records.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Founded in 1860 as the Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum, the organization was known unofficially as Chapin Hall for Children since the 1930s. In 1984 a successor organization became part of the University of Chicago as a research and development center officially named the Chapin Hall Center for Children. The old Chapin Hall building at 2800 West Foster was torn down in 1985.
  • Finding Aids Note Container list available (1986-277).
  • Acquisition information Gift of Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum, 1986 (1986.0277).
  • Names
    • Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum Photographs.
    • Chapin Hall for Children (Chicago, Ill.) Photographs.
    • Holabird & Root (1928-1945)
    • 2800 West Foster Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Subjects
    • Theaters Illinois Chicago 1920-1979.
    • African American children Illinois Chicago 1920-1979.
    • Birthdays Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Charitable organizations Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Children Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Children dancing Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Children's parties Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Christmas Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Day care Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Graduation ceremonies Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Halloween Illinois Chicago.
    • Kitchens Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Orphanages Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Orphans Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Parades & processions Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Picnics Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Teachers Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
    • Thanksgiving Day Illinois Chicago.
    • Theatrical productions Illinois Chicago 1920-1979. lctgm
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Buildings, structures, etc. 1920-1979.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 1920-1979.
  • Genre
    • Group portraits. gmgpc
    • Photograph albums. gmgpc
    • Portrait photographs. gmgpc
    • Signs. gmgpc
    • Snapshots Color. gmgpc
    • Dye coupler photographic prints. gmgpc
    • Dye coupler transparencies. gmgpc
    • Dye diffusion transfer photographic prints. gmgpc
    • Slides Color. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/1986/277.htm