Seaside Institute
Encyclopedia
The Seaside Institute in Bridgeport, Connecticut
is a Richardsonian Romanesque
rock-faced granite, brick, brownstone and terracotta building designed by Warren R. Briggs
and completed in 1887 at the corner of Lafayette and Atlantic avenues, not far from Seaside Park
. Originally built for the use and benefit of the female employees of the Warner Brothers Corset Company, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1982.
, Seaside Institute stands as an example of 19th century philanthropy
aimed at the welfare of employees or industrial paternalism. An 1887 account of the purposes of the Institute printed in The Century
expresses the particular solicitousness toward women employees:
The Seaside Institute was dedicated in an 1887 ceremony attended by Frances Folsom Cleveland
, the wife of the President
, and served its intended purposes for a number of years. By 1917, the Warners employed some 2200 women employees with the Institute providing meals, library and classes taught by organizations such as the Young Women's Christian Association
. The Institute was much remarked upon as an example of what could be done to fight the perceived negative influences of a variety of then-modern conditions, including, the labor problem: "Hushing the discontent of labor by paying fairly... its builders have erected here an island of peace in the storm, which demagogism linked with dishonesty and unthrift, is trying everywhere to precipitate." Likewise, the Institute was seen as pointing towards a solution to the perceived ills of women working outside the home
: "It ought to be possible for modern invention ... to carry this admirable enterprise further on, and to provide for the thousand girls [better lodgings]. For the development of the finer elements of character every young girl needs a room which there is some encouragement to keep tidy, and a chance to make pretty, if not beautiful." The Institute was even seen as providing a model for ameliorating the perceived problem of saloon patronage
by workers. During the labor shortage in World War I
, Warner Brothers used the Institute's amenities in an attempt to attract women workers who could make more money making cartridges than corsets, describing "club rooms" where employees could take classes in gymnastics, embroidery and English. The offerings of the Institute did not, however, dissuade women workers from organizing and seeking better pay and working conditions, such as in 1915 when the International Textile Workers of America staged a strike seeking the eight hour day, one of many such strikes in Bridgeport that summer.
Changing times led to the Institute's dissolution in 1929, and the building was sold to the Bridgeport Herald which made a number of modifications. In 2007, the building became home to a private high school.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
is a Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
rock-faced granite, brick, brownstone and terracotta building designed by Warren R. Briggs
Warren R. Briggs
Warren R. Briggs was an American architect who worked in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was a "native of Boston" and trained at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. His work was greatly influenced by H. H...
and completed in 1887 at the corner of Lafayette and Atlantic avenues, not far from Seaside Park
Seaside Park (Connecticut)
Seaside Park, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a long crescent-shaped park bordering Bridgeport Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Black Rock Harbor. The park lies partly within Bridgeport's South End neighborhood.-History:...
. Originally built for the use and benefit of the female employees of the Warner Brothers Corset Company, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1982.
History
By 1886, the corset factory founded by Drs. I. D. and Lucien C. Warner in Bridgeport employed approximately 1200 people, seven eighths of whom were women. The Seaside Institute was designed as a dining, lecture and meeting hall with library, music and reading rooms for the benefit of these female employees. Together with similar buildings constructed for the welfare of employees such as the People's Club supported by mill owners in Lowell, MassachusettsLowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
, Seaside Institute stands as an example of 19th century philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
aimed at the welfare of employees or industrial paternalism. An 1887 account of the purposes of the Institute printed in The Century
The Century Magazine
The Century Magazine was first published in the United States in 1881 by The Century Company of New York City as a successor to Scribner's Monthly Magazine...
expresses the particular solicitousness toward women employees:
The Seaside Institute was dedicated in an 1887 ceremony attended by Frances Folsom Cleveland
Frances Folsom Cleveland
Frances Clara Folsom Cleveland Preston was the wife of the President of the United States Grover Cleveland and the 27th first lady of the United States from 1886 to 1889 and again from 1893 to 1897. Becoming first lady at age 21, she remains the youngest first lady to this day...
, the wife of the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, and served its intended purposes for a number of years. By 1917, the Warners employed some 2200 women employees with the Institute providing meals, library and classes taught by organizations such as the Young Women's Christian Association
Young Women's Christian Association
Young Women's Christian Association or YWCA or YWCA Building or Old YWCA Building or variations may refer to:*World YWCA, the organization formerly known as Young Women's Christian Associationor it may refer to:...
. The Institute was much remarked upon as an example of what could be done to fight the perceived negative influences of a variety of then-modern conditions, including, the labor problem: "Hushing the discontent of labor by paying fairly... its builders have erected here an island of peace in the storm, which demagogism linked with dishonesty and unthrift, is trying everywhere to precipitate." Likewise, the Institute was seen as pointing towards a solution to the perceived ills of women working outside the home
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
: "It ought to be possible for modern invention ... to carry this admirable enterprise further on, and to provide for the thousand girls [better lodgings]. For the development of the finer elements of character every young girl needs a room which there is some encouragement to keep tidy, and a chance to make pretty, if not beautiful." The Institute was even seen as providing a model for ameliorating the perceived problem of saloon patronage
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
by workers. During the labor shortage in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Warner Brothers used the Institute's amenities in an attempt to attract women workers who could make more money making cartridges than corsets, describing "club rooms" where employees could take classes in gymnastics, embroidery and English. The offerings of the Institute did not, however, dissuade women workers from organizing and seeking better pay and working conditions, such as in 1915 when the International Textile Workers of America staged a strike seeking the eight hour day, one of many such strikes in Bridgeport that summer.
Changing times led to the Institute's dissolution in 1929, and the building was sold to the Bridgeport Herald which made a number of modifications. In 2007, the building became home to a private high school.
See also
- History of Bridgeport, ConnecticutHistory of Bridgeport, ConnecticutThe history of Bridgeport, Connecticut was, in the late 17th and most of the 18th century, one of land acquisitions from the native inhabitants, farming and fishing. From the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century, Bridgeport's history was one of shipbuilding, whaling and rapid growth...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, ConnecticutNational Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, ConnecticutThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, Connecticut.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States...