Friendship House Association records

Friendship House was founded in 1904, and continues today as an active settlement house and neighborhood center in Southeast. It has been described as the oldest and largest settlement house and social service agency in Washington. It was founded with the goal to help those in need to become socially and economically self-reliant. Also Friendship House served as a community center and meeting place for the area. It became in the latter half of the century a conduit to administer social service programs instituted by the city and federal government, and by large private agencies such as United Way. Friendship House had its roots as Rochefort House, begun by a group of young unmarried women who were inspired by the writings of the reformer Jacob Riis. Miss Lydia Burklin began working with the group, and from 1904 until her death in 1964 she devoted all her physical and monetary resources to the project. The house had five rented locations until 1916, when the organization was given deed to 326-328 Virginia Avenue. In 1937 they were able to move to a larger place, their present location. "The Maples" is one of the oldest houses in Washington and is at 619 D Street SE. Generous gifts enabled the organization to add on a theater and annex adjacent property. Miss Burklin lived on the premises for many years and then was given a house nearby. Miss Burklin was able to attract financial help from Washington's businesses and social elite. Friendship House conversely was able to serve this larger constituency by providing an outlet for the charitable volunteer impulses of society women, Congressmen's wives, and also professional social workers , nursery school teachers, musical instructors, etc.