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African American History of Philadelphia Heritage Trail
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Hotel Brotherhood USA and the Bainbridge Club

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Black hotel workers in Philadelphia founded this benevolent organization in the early 1880s to provide health care and aid for workers in their industry. Hotel Brotherhood USA was one of the first trade organizations in the hotel industry, and it soon became one of the largest. The organization was also one of the earliest trade organizations representing Black workers, with members and officers working to address pay inequality and other forms of discrimination. In its early years, the organization operated as a benevolent and mutual aid society, and chapters of the group were founded in other US cities. The organization has been headquartered at this location since 1906, and its current clubhouse was completed in 1924 and was recently remodeled along with an upstairs ballroom that is available for rent.

Images

Hotel Brotherhood USA Historical Marker by Cosmos Mariner on HMDB.org (reproduced under Fair Use)

Metal sign with gold lettering, reading "Founded in 1883, this benevolent society of colored hotel workers was one of the largest and most influential early trade organizations in the hotel industry. It promoted labor equality, worker respect, and economic empowerment. Headquartered here since 1906."

Hotel Brotherhood insignia on building, by Cosmos Mariner on HMDB.org (reproduced under Fair Use)

HB insignia/medallion on side of building.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Black hotel workers in Philadelphia founded this benevolent organization around 1883 to provide health care for workers in their industry. The group grew out of an effort of a few workers on the 200 block of Juniper Street who gathered to raise money for medical expenses for a coworker.

It was one of the first trade organizations in the hotel industry, and become one of the largest. Additionally, it was one of the earliest trade organizations representing Black hotel workers and addressing pay inequality and other forms of discrimination, the organization has long ties to civil rights activism and has hosted keynote addresses from prominent leaders such as the late Julian Bond. The organization operated as a benevolent and mutual aid society, and chapters of the group were founded in other US cities. The organization has resided at this location since 1906.

As the organization's focus expanded to include other trades, it adopted the name Bainbridge Club in the 1980s. In 2016, the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office placed a historic marker in front of the building to commemorate the organization.

Sources

Bainbridge Club. The History of the Hotel Brotherhood, Accessed April 2nd 2021. https://hotelbrotherhoodusa.wordpress.com/the-history-of-the-hotel-brotherhood/.

Galle, Karen. New Historical Markers Approved, Pennsylvania Historic Preservation: Blog of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office. March 23rd 2016. Accessed April 2nd 2021. https://pahistoricpreservation.com/new-historical-markers-approved/.

Mariner, Cosmos. Hotel Brotherhood USA, Historical Marker Database. June 30th 2019. Accessed April 2nd 2021. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=135987.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.hmdb.org/PhotoFullSize.asp?PhotoID=481636

https://www.hmdb.org/PhotoFullSize.asp?PhotoID=481638

Additional Information