The Government of the Edwin Forrest Home, Comprising the List of Officers, Will Of Edwin Forrest, Act of Incorporation, By-Laws of the Board, and Application for Admission

Philadelphia: Press of Henry B. Ashmead, 1902. First Edition[?]. 31pp. Sewn pamphlet. Near Fine.

Unrecorded 1902 sewn pamphlet describing the function and purpose of the Edwin Forrest Home in Philadelphia located at 4849 Parkside avenue. The Home was established by converting the mansion of Springbrook owned by Forrest.

"Article I. The said Institution shall be for the support and maintenance of actors and actresses decayed by age or disabled by infirmity, who, if natives of the United States, shall have served at least five years in the theatrical profession, and if of foreign birth shall have served in that profession at least ten years, whereof three years next previous to the application shall have been in the United States, and who shall in all things comply with the laws and regulations of the Home...[p7]."

Forrest also hope that the home could serve in hosting lectures on science, literature and the arts, oratory, and the histrionic art "... in manner to prepare the American citizen for the more creditable effective discharge of his public duties, and to raise the education and intellectual and moral tone and character of actors, that thereby they may elevate the drama and cause it to subserve its true and great mission to mankind, as there profoundest teacher of virtue and morality [p10]."

Residents were expected to do there washing and ironing on Mondays and Tuesdays; inmates were expected to make themselves useful in some way for the general benefit of the house; alcohol and drugs, of course, were prohibited; and no inmates were permitted to "...interfere in the management, or find fault with the assistance or servants..."

The final leaf of text is entitled Form of Application for Admission. The recipient of this pamphlet, by using this form, could provide their details of name, age, where born, their history and experience in the theatrical profession. On the final blank line the applicant could sign their autograph, affirming they were a suitable applicant willing to abide by all the rules and regulations stipulated by the Home.

Unlisted on OCLC.