Friends of Elam Home Foundation records

Scope and Contents note

This collection spans from 1921-1981, with the bulk of material from 1974-1979. Some documents pertain to the original Melissia Elam Club Home for Working Women and Girls, while the majority of the collection focuses on the activities of the Friends of the Elam Home Foundation.

“Elam Club Home for Working Women and Girls” is one folder of material containing Elam’s Warranty Deed from 1923 for the property at 4555 South Champlain Avenue, her business card, tax receipts, and other financial and legal documents concerning the transfer of the property to Loretta Peyton. “Friends of the Elam Home Foundation” relates to the activities of Margaret Burroughs as President of the Friends of the Elam Home Foundation (sometimes referred to as Elam Home Friends) between 1974 and 1979. This series includes correspondence, financial documents, meeting minutes, flyers, and pamphlets. The bulk of the documents relate to the organization’s efforts to secure landmark status for the Elam Home, including correspondence between Margaret Burroughs and the Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks. Other correspondence includes efforts by the Friends of the Elam Home Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the Home, letters endorsing Burroughs as a trustee for the home, and letters about Burroughs’ resignation as president of the organization in 1979. Examples of financial documents are maintenance estimates, operation statements, and receipts.

This collection will be useful for researchers interested in the Melissa Elam Club Home for Working Girls, and the efforts by Margaret Burroughs and the Friends of the Elam Home Foundation to acquire landmark status for the Home.