Images from the 1917 Annual Catalogue of the WIE: Source: WIE Archives

New Additions 1910 – 1920

1910

In 1910, Mrs. C.W. Bassett, as president of the Exchange, decided to build additions to the building to accommodate room for a diet kitchen, fitting and showrooms, a catering department, and an enlarged lunchroom. The diet kitchen produced food such as soups, jellies, and other dishes ordered by doctors for individuals who are sick and under treatment. The fitting and showrooms were used by the sewing department during the dressmaking and shopping processes. The catering department supplied different food items for afternoon teas and other similar events. The catering business opened up job opportunities for women as well as promoted the food items made by the consignors. President Bassett was able to fund these additions due to the success of the Exchange and noted that several hundred women have enlarged regular incomes by being Exchange consignors. The sales for consignors amounted to $20,000 and the sales for the lunchroom amounted to $15,000 for the 1910 year while the cost of the construction was $25,000. The old quarters were torn down and the new structure was the four-story building seen today.

Sources:
“Woman’s Industrial Exchange will Erect New Home to Enlarge Scope of Work.” The Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 1910.
“Woman’s Exchange to Expand.” The Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 1910.
“Woman’s Exchange to Build Building at Charles and Pleasant Streets will be Razed.” The Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 1910.

1911

In 1911, the Paint & Powder Club, a charity-based performing arts organization based in Baltimore since 1893, chose the Woman’s Industrial Exchange as the charity that would benefit from the year’s opera performances. The Paint & Powder Club’s purpose was to organize and put on shows for the benefit of Baltimorean charitable organizations. The Exchange would also benefit from the club’s events in 1916.

Sources:
“Paint and Powder Hits: Club has a History Involving Many Notable Successes.” The Evening Sun, 26 Jan. 1911.
Unknown title. The Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 1916.

1913

In December of 1913, the Exchange commissioned Architect Walter M. Gieske to make alterations to the building. The improvements will include a garage and a laundry.

Source:
Unknown Title. The Baltimore Sun, 21 Dec. 1913.

1916

January

On January 27th, 1916, Edith Wilson, the wife of President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady of the United States, came to Baltimore to shop on North Charles Street. Her mother, Mrs. William H. Bolling, her sister, Miss Bertha Bolling, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Rolfe E. Bolling accompanied her. The group dined at the Woman’s Industrial Exchange for lunch.

Source:
“Mrs. Wilson Here to Shop.” The Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 1916.

May

In May of 1916, the Woman’s Industrial Exchange had a National Red Cross Society booth placed in their building. Individuals interested in becoming Red Cross members could enroll at the booth in the Exchange building. The Exchange donated $100.75 to the Red Cross in June of 1917 and $0.75 in July of 1917.

Source:
“Red Cross After Members.” The Baltimore Sun, 20 May 1916.
“Subscriptions to the Red Cross.” The Baltimore Sun, 38 Jun. 1917.
Contributions to the Red Cross.” The Baltimore Sun, 1 Jul. 1917.

October

In October 1916, The Democratic Advocate published the hours of the Woman’s Industrial Exchange. The Exchange was open from 2 to 6 p.m. every day and on Saturday from 10 to 12 a.m. and from 2 to 6 p.m. The Exchange also created a fundraising campaign to help pay off the building’s mortgage and improvements in October 1916.

Source:
“The Woman’s Industrial Exchange.” The Democratic Advocate, 13 Oct. 1916.
“Fund for Woman’s Exchange.” The Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 1916.

November

In November of 1916, the Exchange advertised apartments for rent in their building.

Source:
“Rooms for Rent.” The Baltimore Sun, 16 Nov. 1916.

1917

The Woman’s Civic League hosted a series of teas at the Exchange in January of 1917. Miss Katherine Pritchett, a home demonstration agent for Maryland under the US Department of Agriculture, spoke at one of the teas on the topic of cutting down the high cost of living.

Source:
Unknown title. The Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 1917.
“To Speak on Living Cost.” The Evening Sun, 27 Jan. 1917.

November 1917

In November 1917, the Exchange offered Italian rings collected by Mrs. Juanita Tramana for sale. The profits went to Italian civilian war relief work, particularly for the benefit of the women and children of Italy.

Source:
“Proceeds from these Rings to Aid War-Ridden Italians.” The Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 1917.

Officers and Managers in this Time Period:

In November 1911, the Exchange elected Mrs. Charles W. Bassett as the President, Mrs. John B. Morris as the 1st Vice President, Mrs. Edwin F. Abell as the 2nd Vice President, Mrs. Douglas H. Gordon as the 3rd Vice President, Mrs. George B. Howser as the treasurer, Miss Frances Chummings as the secretary, and Mr. Frank Blacklock as the advisor. Mrs. Daniel S. Briscoe, Mrs. Frank Schrivener, Mrs. Yates Penniman, Mrs. J.S. Woodward, Mrs. John Hinrichs, Mrs. James M. Easter, Miss Bertha V. Merick, and Mrs. Seymour Mandelbaum were elected to the board of managers.

In November of 1915, the Exchange elected Mrs. Edwin F. Abell as the President, Mrs. John B. Morris as the 1st Vice President, Mrs. Douglas Gordon as the 2nd Vice President, Mrs. Seymour Mandelbaum as the 3rd Vice President, Mrs. George B. Houser as the treasurer, Miss M.F. Cummings as the secretary, and Mrs. James Easter as the corresponding secretary. Douglas Gordon, George B. Howser, Seymour Mandelbaum, and Frank Blacklock were chosen as members of the advisory board.

In December of 1917, the exchange elected Mrs. Edwin F. Abell as the President, Mrs. Douglas H. Gordon as the 1st Vice President, Mrs. Seymour Mandelbaum as the second Vice President, Mrs. Allan MacSherry as the 3rd Vice President, Mrs. George B. Howser as the treasurer. Mrs. E. Asbury Davis as the secretary, and Mrs. James Easter as the recording secretary.

Advisory board in 1917: Mr. D.H. Gordon, Mr. G.B. Howser, Mr. S. Mandelbaum, and Mr. F. Blacklock.

Sources:
“Industrial Exchange Elects.” The Baltimore Sun, 5 Nov. 1911.
“Woman’s Exchange Elects.” The Baltimore Sun, 17 Nov. 1915.
“Woman’s Exchange Officers Elected.” The Baltimore Sun, 12 Dec. 1917.
“1917 Annual Catalogue of the Woman’s Industrial Exchange.”  WIE Archives, 1917.