1920: White social workers and philanthropists felt the need for a recreational and housing facility for young black women. However, the Women’s Cooperative Alliance, a local civic-minded women’s organization decided based on a survey they took that a recreational facility for all African Americans was needed. Part of the organization’s backing of such a facility can be traced back to its concern that “the mixture of races in this district [North Side] is detrimental in effect.” [Source: H.J. Karger, “Phyliss Wheatley House: A History of the Minneapolis Black Settlement House, 1924-1940.” Phylon, Vol. 47, No. 1, 1986, 80].
1924: Purchased the old Hebrew Talmud Torah School at 818 Bassett Place. The board consisted of all white women, most from WCA. The purpose of the settlement house was to “foster a wholesome leisure-time program for men, women, and children.” The head resident was Gertrude Brown, an African American woman who was a graduate of Columbia University.
1926: Need for a larger building.
1929: New building dedicated at the corner of Aldrich and 8th Ave. N.
1970: New house dedicated at 919 Fremont Ave. N.
Bibliography: Howard Jacob Karger, “Phyllis Wheatley House: A History of the Minneapolis Black Settlement House, 1924-1940,” Phylon, vol. 47, No. 1, 1986, pp. 79-90.; Willliam R. Sims, “The Phyllis Wheatley Settlement House, “ typescript, n.d.; “Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, “Minneapolis Journal, 10/13/1929, “Women to Open Phyllis Wheatley Settlement House”; ibid. 10/20/1929 “Contract Let for New Home of Wheatley”; Minneapolis Tribune 12/6/1970, “Wheatley House Added Discipline to Dream.” www.placeography.org/index. php/Phyllis_Wheatley_Community_Center .