Visiting nurses outside their office, dressed for a day's work, Visiting Nurse Society of Philadelphia, c. 1909

Visiting nurse with patient, Visiting Nurse Society of Philadelphia, c. 1910

Citations

“Home Care.”  •  Nursing, History, and Health Care • Penn Nursing. Accessed December 15, 2023.  https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nhhc/home-care/.

Why did Ethel think no one cared about her? 

What was Alvin recovering from?

Who is Leona?

The following object description information includes basic elements from the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI).  An additional notes field is included to list dates from the actual letter, envelope postmark locations, and any other identifying details. 

• Contributing Institution - Piedmont Historical Preservation Society
• Collection Name - Margaret Payne Collection
• Language - English
• Rights - Copyright held by the Piedmont Historical Preservation Society; no reproduction without written consent from the Piedmont Historical Preservation Society.
• Notes – Handwritten letter dated February 25, 1909. Two pages. Includes envelope, no postmark, addressed to Miss Blanche Peden "At School."

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In 1905, President Beattie built the YWCA and brick mercantile to attract workers to the newly constructed Greenville mills. Until 1900, the Union Church had served as the home of three congregations and an educational institution. For women's advantage, Beattie built a YWCA in 1908. He remodeled the building into a two-story YWCA, moved it to Main Street, and turned it sideways. When Highway 86 was constructed in 1948, the building was relocated again. In 1954, the building was purchased by a mill family. 

Citations:

“South Carolina Conservation Bank.” Piedmont Manufacturing Company YWCA | SC Conservation Bank. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://sccbank.sc.gov/piedmont-manufacturing-company-ywca.

Towards the end of the 19th century, charitable women throughout the United States founded groups to send licensed nurses into the homes of the ill to treat and stop the spread of deadly infectious illnesses. Unfortunately, these organizations were faced with a difficult problem trying to figure out which patients were the sickest. In addition, they had to figure out who needed treatment the most and how long could the patient be treated before endangering the organization's finances. However, when the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLI) created an insurance program for in-home nursing care for its customers in 1909, their financial struggles significantly improved. Restoring policyholders' health and ability to work was the main goal of MLI's agreements with visiting nurse associations. Longer life spans for policyholders resulted in fewer death claims, lower rates, and also drew in additional policyholders. By 1916, the vast majority of MLI policyholders nationwide had access to in-home care services.

Citations:

“Home Care.”  •  Nursing, History, and Health Care • Penn Nursing. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nhhc/home-care/.