I have studied Westminister House quite a bit, because my great grandfather, August Wilhelm Erhardt Kellermann, worked their as a janitor around 1912. He lived right across the street at 426 Monroe. I have several pictures of "Westy" as it was often called from my friend Rich Schweigler. Westminister House was an immigrant settlement house, similar to those founded in Chicago? by Jane Addams. It was a community center founded in the 1800s to help immigrants find work, learn skills, and meet their social needs. It was a combination food kitchen, kindergarten, library, recreation center, etc. When August came to America in 1893, he ended up renting a room across the street from Westy at 432 Monroe. Later, he married widow Julia Schauf Gantzer at 426 Monroe. It is quite possible that the folks at Westy helped him find the place to rent, and the job with lumber man Mr. Klee from whom he rented. I don't know the history of the public library and public school systems in Buffalo, but chances are that Westy, situtated on the Old East Side, in a predominately German neighborhood, had books in both German and English, and probably had English lessons. They also had a choir if I remember correctly. If anyone wants pictures of Westminister House, please let me know. I have pictures of the activities as well as the buildings. Sharon Centanne D S wrote: >Hi to all, > >Anyway - the point of this message - 1927 Buffalo City Directory > >1) I found a front listing for WESTMINSTER HOUSE. This is something >I'd been searching for more info about - as I have a vintage photo of >my grandmother (Nora WITT) with several other women there - all lined >up in those old bathing suits - circa 1919-1921. near a huge swimming >pool. I've heard the "family story" that she worked on projects there >to send to soldiers? My thought was that it was a place where >eastside Germans could go (settlement house) to get help, information, >support - or volunteer to give same. Anyone know? > >The listing was in a section called "Charitable, Religious Societies >and Associations". >On page 25 (image 24) it says: << Westminster House - a Social >Settlement; 424 Adams and 421 Monroe. Head Resident: Mrs Ida >Grumiaux >> > >I didn't have this when looking at those huge Sanborn maps - so now >need to pull out my digital photos and get my bearings for where this >is - in relation to their church (see #3 below) and where their house >was located - at 191 Sherman Street. > > > >Deb > > > > >