Hull House, founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1889 by Jane Addams who was soon joined by other volunteers called "residents," was one of the first settlement houses in the U.S. and eventually grew into one of the largest, with facilities in 13 buildings. At its beginning, its main purposes were to provide social and educational opportunities for working class people in the neighborhood, many of whom were recent immigrants. There were classes in literature, history, art, and many other subjects, concerts free to all, free lectures on current issues, and clubs both for children and adults. Later, the settlement branched out and offered services to ameliorate some of the effects of poverty. There was a public dispensary to provide nutritious food for the sick, a daycare center, public baths, and a homeless shelter. The settlement also gradually was drawn into advocating for legislative reforms at the municipal, state and federal levels, addressing issues such as child labor, suffrage, and immigration policy.
