Jane Addams Memorial

History

Many New York City public parks and playgrounds are named in honor of prominent figures in New York City and American history. The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project compiled a list of public parks and playgrounds named after gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals, several of which intentionally honor an LGBT individual. In addition, there are memorials that honor LGBT individuals. This list includes the Jane Addams Memorial, in Manhattan.

This memorial, dedicated in 1935, in City Hall Park commemorates the 75th birthday (and the year she died) of progressive social reformer and activist Jane Addams (1860-1935). It also inadvertently honors her LGBT history. Addams was a leader of the American settlement house movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1889, she co-founded Hull House, the first settlement house in the United States, in Chicago’s poor, industrial west side. Settlement houses were established to provide educational, recreational, artistic, health, and support social services to urban poor and immigrant communities. Hull House also addressed such complex issues as child labor, public health reform, labor laws, and race relations. Addams became internationally respected for her peace activism and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, the first American woman to receive this honor. She had at least two long-term same-sex relationships – one of which, with Mary Rozet Smith, lasted 40 years.

This memorial was donated by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, celebrating Addams’ role as founder.

Entry by Jay Shockley, project director (September 2021).

NOTE: Names above in bold indicate LGBT people.