Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hotel Brotherhood USA

By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

1. Hotel Brotherhood USA Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Founded in 1883, this benevolent society of colored hotel workers was one of the largest and most influential early trade organizations in the hotel industry. It promoted labor equality, worker respect, and economic empowerment. Headquartered here since 1906.

Erected 2016 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 39° 56.591′ N, 75° 10.1′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. Marker is on Bainbridge Street east of South 16th Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the sidewalk, directly in front of the Hotel Brotherhood building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1529 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia PA 19146, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Philadelphia Tribune (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct

Hotel Brotherhood USA Marker<br>(<i>view looking east along sidewalk • headquarters on left </i>) image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

2. Hotel Brotherhood USA Marker
(view looking east along sidewalk • headquarters on left )

line); Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital (about 700 feet away); Mercy Hospital (about 700 feet away); Gertrude E. H. Bustill Mossell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Billie Holiday (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dunbar Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tindley Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frank Furness (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . History of the Hotel Brotherhood. The Hotel Brotherhood USA was founded to provide medical benefits for colored hotel workers. It was started when five or six men got together in a house on the 200 block of South Juniper Street to raise funds to meet the medical needs of a stricken fellow hotel worker. The brotherhood is considered one of the earliest unions representing black workers in the United States, but it has historically functioned more along the lines of the fraternal mutual benefit societies – organizations like the Elks, Eagles, and Odd Fellows that were formed to provide medical and death benefits to their members and families. (Submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

3. Hotel Brotherhood USA building tile/plaque/logo

Hotel Brotherhood USA Building (<i>marker visible near center</i>) image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

4. Hotel Brotherhood USA Building (marker visible near center)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.