Our History: 1880s
Our history is as diverse as Wilmington's. Started as a result of the Settlement House Movement of the late 1880s, the Italian Neighborhood House, as it was then known, was founded by Emily Bissell on the West Side of Wilmington to assist newly arriving immigrants with such matters as Americanization, literacy, housing and employment.
The Settlement House Movement was often pragmatic, experimental and responsive to the specific neighborhood needs at particular times. West End Neighborhood House continues in that tradition. Serving greater numbers of more diverse populations, community-based social service agencies today shadow the settlement houses of yesteryear. Go to next history page.
Our History:
WWI * Great Depression * 1940s and '50s * 1960s, '70s and '80s * Today