New Century Guild of Working Women Guild House

1225-27 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA

1893 | Women’s Club | Not Built

“New Century Guild Members Want a New Building. The modest brass plate on the door sill of 1227 Arch street, which proclaims the location of “The New Century Guild of Working Woman,” was flanked yesterday by a big placard bearing the significant word “Fair.” The object as announced on the tickets, was to swell the building fund of the guild. On the wall of the assembly room hung the plans of the Guild House—which is some day to be built—drawn by Mrs. Minerva Parker Nichols, the architect of the New Century Club.” (Philadelphia Times, December 3, 1893)

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The New Century Guild of Working Women in Philadelphia was an offshoot of the New Century Club of Philadelphia. Since Minerva designed the New Century Club’s headquarters in 1891/1892 (and the headquarters for its sister club, the New Century Club of Wilmington), it makes sense that Minerva would design the home for the New Century Guild. According to the mention in the Philadelphia Times, she completed the plans, but it is unclear if this project was ever executed according to her plans. (There is no known record of her plans.)