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1930-1959 1930 During the next ten years, Madison House provides facilities for WPA workers who serve the neighborhood’s cultural, health and social needs. 1933-1934 Dr. Algernon Black is a member of the commission that establishes (founds) the NYC Housing Authority. 1940 World War II calls on the young and nearly all who can serve on fronts and in factories. Mrs. Josiah Willard, President of Hamilton House from 1952-1954 and Helen Greenebaum, Headworker, share the task of managing the House during the war years. 1947 The area becomes populated by African-Americans and Hispanics. There is a 50 – 50 mix of old and new residents by the mid 1950s. Friction between the pre-war community and the newcomers escalates. Teenage gangs present an acute problem. Geoffrey Wiener is Headworker. Helen Hall, Headworker of Henry Street Settlement and a member of the Hamilton House Board, urges Mr. Wiener on to stay as Head Worker. The budget is $12,000, with a deficit carried by Henry Street Settlement House. 1949 The low-income Alfred E. Smith Houses opens its first half. Hamilton House applies for and is given a single room at 186 South Street to operate programs for the first group of tenants. 1950 Sometime during the 1950's the first Hamilton-Madison House Thrift Store opens on Madison Street. Mrs. Sidney Beir devotes many hours daily to run it. The thrift store moves uptown to Third Avenue and moves again on Third Avenue before locating on Second Avenue. Mrs. Willard, Mrs. Petschek and Mrs. Glass are among those who turn the operation into a success. 1951 The first structured Chinese program, the Golden Age Group of Chinatown, is established privately by a group of Chinese senior citizens at Smith Houses, with the assistance of Hamilton House. 1952 In February, Hamilton House offers counseling and family care work as an experimental project through an arrangement with the Family Services Division of the Community Service Society. 1953 When the second half of Smith Houses is completed, a community space and a 55 child pre-school Day Care Center are allocated. Hamilton House is named the sponsor. In a dedication ceremony in March 1953, Mrs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the principal speaker. 1954 Madison House makes way for the construction of LaGuardia Houses. Mrs. Shirley Chisholm is Director of the Child Care Center of Hamilton-Madison House. 1954 Hamilton and Madison House merge filling out the Center space allocated by the Alfred E. Smith Houses. 1955 The Two Bridges Neighborhood Council is founded and flourishes as a community wide citizen’s action organization. The office of the Council remains at Hamilton-Madison House for the next seven years and TBNC is focused on peacefully bringing together youth in the Two Bridges community, through sports and other social activities.
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