History

The settlement house movement in the United States was still new in 1896, when two young theological students from Louisville, Archibald A. Hill and W.E. Wilkins, invited Professor Graham Taylor of Chicago Commons and the already-famous Jane Addams to come to Louisville and speak on the subject of social settlement. Lucy Belknap, a member of the Women’s Club of Louisville, attended the presentation and subsequently became an enthusiastic supporter of the concept. With her enthusiasm and significant financial support, Ms. Belknap helped Kentucky’s first settlement house – Neighborhood House – get started.

Neighborhood House opened its doors in 1896, and activities included sewing classes, debate clubs, singing and story telling for younger children. In 1902, Neighborhood House opened the first kindergarten in Louisville as well as the first outdoor playground. As the classes and recreational activities of Neighborhood House grew, it began to reach beyond its immediate neighborhood to speak on larger community issues.

In 1917, Neighborhood House became a charter member of the Community Chest (now Metro United Way), and by 1918, the organization began responding to an increasing immigrant population teaching English and citizenship classes, as well as supplemental school programs for children. Recreation facilities were expanded to keep young people “off the streets,” and a library was created to provide reading material to those who otherwise would have none.

In 1937, Neighborhood House found itself responding to the Ohio River flood disaster, and the World War II era saw the settlement house responding to the needs of children who quite often had one parent at war and the other working in support of the war effort.

As times changed, Neighborhood House continued to evolve its programs and services to best meet the needs of the Portland community. The erosion of the industrial and manufacturing base in Louisville since the early 1990s resulted in a population unprepared for other employment opportunities in Louisville. As a result, Neighborhood House focuses on Educational Enhancement, Social Skill Development, Cultural Enrichment and Health Promotion in its programmatic offerings today.