Keys to History

Most philanthropic associations were subscription-based voluntary societies that were then incorporated for legal purposes. Members paid annual fees. This method, which enabled individuals without large private fortunes to undertake philanthropic work collectively, substantially increased the volume of philanthropy. Fund-raising events provided a way by which this circle of support could be widened even further. One of the most popular of these was the Charity Ball. This is a dance card from one such ball. Some dance cards were works of art, but those produced for charity events tended to be simple. The front of the card served to advertise the charity itself by listing the names of important citizens associated with the group either as members or as patronesses. The inside listed the dances and left space for the cardholder to include the corresponding partners for the evening. The small hole at the bottom was to allow the cardholder to tie on a pencil.