Papers of Constance H. Hall, 1915-1921

The papers of Constance Hall document American women's work to aid French and Belgian children and adults displaced by fighting during World War I. Four scrapbooks contain records of the New England Clothing Committee, of which Hall was chairman, from 1915 to 1921. The New England Clothing Committee worked with the Comité Franco-Américaine pour la Protection des Enfants de la Frontière, which established centers in France to care for displaced French and Belgian children during the war. It provided assistance to impoverished children and their families and was headquartered in Paris.

The scrapbooks include sample patterns of clothes to be sewn for displaced children, bills for notions, purchased clothing and other supplies, photographs of French children, letters to and from American women working in France, reports, and other documents. While most of the correspondence is with other New England relief groups and suppliers, several letters from women's aid groups in Tennessee and [other states] speak to the national reach of the war relief work. The collection also contains a number of loose letters Constance H. Hall received from Caroline R. Hill, who worked with the Comité and the Red Cross. These letters (and others from Hill pasted into the scrapbooks) provide detailed descriptions of needed clothing, methods of packing and shipping, and describe situations of individual children under the Comité's care. Printed material includes a New England Clothing Committee circular detailing clothing, food, and supplies needed for relief of French children. Also Volume 1, Number 1 (October, 1919) of Children of the Frontier magazine. Thirty five photographs of displaced children, their new surroundings and caregivers are glued to a linen backing. Folders #5.1-5.2 and PD.1 were originally cataloged as A/H174.