American Service Institute, Records of – Ancient Order of Hibernians References

Description

The American Service Institute was founded in Pittsburgh in 1941 with the purpose of working through the organized structure of the Pittsburgh community to promote better understanding and appreciation among people of all cultural and national backgrounds. The American Service Institute was in existence from 1941 through 1961. The ASI was a product of the three earlier organizations with the stated purpose, “to assist in the ethnic, cultural and economic assimilation into the community of new Americans residing in Allegheny County; to encourage their participation in community life, as individuals or as groups; to cooperate with individuals and with nationality organizations in relating themselves to public and private social and civic agencies; and to give technical assistance to residents of Allegheny County who desire to become naturalized citizens of the United States.” Therefore, the records include material from the 1920s through 1961. The records include minutes and committees, unpublished studies and reports, ASI community projects, immigration and naturalization files, ASI publications, ASI programs, general information on local organizations, material on local community projects, the aged population, youth immigration records, and customs and traditions of cultural groups.

Description adapted from the holding repository’s finding aid; it may describe the larger collection that contains the AOH/LAOH material.