Rutland Corner House (Boston, Mass.)

The House was organized in 1877 as the Home for Working Women, where "women desirous of making an honest living, but penniless and friendless, may find shelter and employment until able to secure a permanent position." After temporary addresses, it was established in 1886 on the corner of Rutland Street and Shawmut Ave in Boston. In 1925 its current name was adopted. Inmates, who had to be poor, respectable, and able to work, were usually referred to the House through social agencies, although some were accepted directly from the streets. During the 1920s the House population was increasingly made up of "undesirable" women. This change continued into the 1950s when inmates included unmarried mothers, psychiatric cases, persons discharged from hospitals, young runaways, and court cases. In 1953 the board of managers voted to turn the House into a transitional residence for women psychiatric patients.

From the description of Records, 1877-1966 (inclusive), 1877-1955 (bulk). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232006823

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