This exhibit celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first opening of the William Skinner Coffee House. Belle and Katharine Skinner established this settlement house in Holyoke to provide educational and social opportunities for women who worked in the factories of Holyoke. The exhibit was created by graduate students of Public History from the University of Massachusetts. This exhibit is funded in part by the Wistariahurst Museum Association and the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Skinner Coffee House
The Skinner Coffee House served the Holyoke Community for over 100 years. Established by Belle and Katharine Skinner in 1902 in honor of their father William Skinner, the Coffee House was originally used by women employed at the William Skinner & Sons Silk Mill for educational, social, and service activities. The Coffee House was one of many instiutions established throughout the country around the turn of the 20th century to serve the needs of recent immigrants who worked in mills and factories.
Since 1902, the location and control of the Coffee House has changed, but it remained a place to create and sustain community.
1902 - 1918 Skinner Coffee House at 480 Main Street, Owned by the Skinner Family
1916 - 1942 Skinner Coffee House at 402 Main Street. Owned by the Skinner Family
1942 - 1989 Skinner Community Center, Owned and operated by the City of Holyoke
1989 - 2005 Nueva Esperanza operated out of the building2005 Building was torn down
Organizations at the Coffee House : "I have enjoyed every hour·"
There were over 20 clubs and organizations associated with the Skinner Coffee House. Along with providing entertainment through pageants and musical revues, organizations created a community through regularly scheduled meetings and luncheons. Many girls joined the same clubs years after their mothers· involvement.
Organizations at the Skinner Coffee House
Women·s Club
French-American Club
Association for the Blind
Italian Women·s Club
Homemakers Club
Negro Women·s Club
Polish Women·s Club
Children·s Dramatic Club
Junior Reading Group
Polish Folk Dance Group
Children·s Glee Club
Neighbor·s Club
Ukrainian Women·s Club
Business Girls Club
Quilt Club
Merrymakers Club
Dancing Club
Revelers Club
Old Timers Club
Corrective Posture Group
The Jayargees
4H Club
Mother·s Club
Men·s Club
Cosmetics Club