The collection is arranged by topic as follows: regulations; letters, accounts, specifications, and reports in English; letters, reports, invitations, and bills in French; bills, reports, and letters; pamphlets; specifications for an addition to the hospital; and minute books and ledgers.

The collection consists of 1 box and 31 volumes. It is 9 linear feet.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1938

Subjects: Charities -- Louisiana -- New Orleans., French -- Louisiana -- New Orleans., French Americans -- Louisiana -- New Orleans., Hospitals -- Louisiana -- New Orleans., Medicine -- United States -- History., New Orleans (La.) -- History., Société française de bienfaisance et d'assistance mutuelle de la Nouvelle Orléans.

Forms of Material: Annual reports., Correspondence., Financial records., Invitations., Ledgers (account books), Minute books., Pamphlets., Reports.

Languages: English, French

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists of records of the Société française de bienfaisance et d'assistance mutuelle de la Nouvelle Orléans, and of its Hôpital français. Included are handwritten, typed, and printed financial records, minutes, correspondence, clippings, hospital forms, poster of hospital guest rules, and other records. The collection also contains issues of the Rapport annuel de la Société française de bienfaisance et d'assistance mutuelle de la Nouvelle Orléans, which document the activities of the benevolent organization and the hospital, and list mortuary services and pharmacies in the city.

Biographical Note

Société française de bienfaisance et d'assistance mutuelle de la Nouvelle Orléans was organized in 1839 and incorporated in 1843. Its first hospital was established in 1844 in the Faubourg Tremé on Bayou Road near N. Robertson, and was known as Asile de la Société française. The name translated into English, French Benevolent and Mutual Aid Society of New Orleans, was sometimes used interchangeably with the phrase, French Hospital. In 1881, the society acquired the block cornering on Orleans and St. Ann; in 1914, additions were made to those buildings facing Orleans. The society operated a hospital at that location until 1949. In 1951, the buildings and land were sold to the Knights of Peter Claver, a Roman Catholic fraternal organization for African Americans.

Subject/Index Terms

Charities -- Louisiana -- New Orleans.
French -- Louisiana -- New Orleans.
French Americans -- Louisiana -- New Orleans.
Hospitals -- Louisiana -- New Orleans.
Medicine -- United States -- History.
New Orleans (La.) -- History.
Société française de bienfaisance et d'assistance mutuelle de la Nouvelle Orléans.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Alternate Extent Statement: 9 linear feet

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Acquisition Source: French Hospital.

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Preferred Citation: Société française records, Manuscripts Collection 47, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Processed ('Cataloged') in 1956. Revised in 1984. First created in Archon on 5/10/2010. Updated with creator and subject headings on 7/23/2010.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid information entered in Archon by LAC Group in 2011. Revised by LAC Group 4/27/2011.

Other Note: OCLC Number: 642354759

Box and Folder Listing

Volume 13: Orphéon Francais, treasurer's book, 1881-1884

Tulane University Special Collections