Howard Association
Encyclopedia
Howard Association, a benevolent organization, was formed in Norfolk, Virginia
during the 1855 Yellow Fever Epidemic
which killed 1 in 3 residents of Norfolk and sister city Portsmouth
in Hampton Roads
. Contributions were used to set up a hospital
and an orphanage
, to feed the hungry and to bury the dead. It was named after a British philanthropist
and prison reformer, John Howard
.
It has long been known that the 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic had begun when infected persons arrived aboard a ship. Hampton Roads' plight drew assistance in the form of funds, supplies, and medical personnel from many other cities and communities, especially those located along the Atlantic
and Gulf Coast
areas of the United States
.
Money remaining in the Howard Association's coffers has continued to be used for medical relief in the 150 years since, primarily in southeastern Virginia. The Howard Association resources were merged with those of the Norfolk Foundation, another longstanding benevolent group, in 1986.
, Mississippi
, and Louisiana
. A 1856 Howard Association report read, in part:
On September 14, 2005, even as Hurricane Ophelia was approaching and threatened Hampton Roads
, the Norfolk Foundation sent a check for $50,000 to the Greater Baton Rouge Area Foundation in Louisiana to help with disaster relief efforts in the Hurricane Katrina
recovery. A Virginian-Pilot newspaper story noted that this was, in a symbolic (and practical sense), a partial repayment of a 150-year old act of kindness from the Gulf States.
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
during the 1855 Yellow Fever Epidemic
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
which killed 1 in 3 residents of Norfolk and sister city Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
. Contributions were used to set up a hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
and an orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
, to feed the hungry and to bury the dead. It was named after a British philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
and prison reformer, John Howard
John Howard (prison reformer)
John Howard was a philanthropist and the first English prison reformer.-Birth and early life:Howard was born in Lower Clapton, London. His father, also John, was a wealthy upholsterer at Smithfield Market in the city...
.
It has long been known that the 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic had begun when infected persons arrived aboard a ship. Hampton Roads' plight drew assistance in the form of funds, supplies, and medical personnel from many other cities and communities, especially those located along the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and Gulf Coast
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
areas of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Money remaining in the Howard Association's coffers has continued to be used for medical relief in the 150 years since, primarily in southeastern Virginia. The Howard Association resources were merged with those of the Norfolk Foundation, another longstanding benevolent group, in 1986.
2005 news
Among significant sources of contributions and volunteers for Norfolk in 1855 were the gulf coast areas of AlabamaAlabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. A 1856 Howard Association report read, in part:
-
- "Nor can we find words to express our thanks to the city of New Orleans, for the noble and generous manner in which she responded to our call for help. No sooner had our appeal gone forth, than skillful physicians and experienced nurses rushed to our aid. Being the first to volunteer assistance, they were among the last to leave."
On September 14, 2005, even as Hurricane Ophelia was approaching and threatened Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
, the Norfolk Foundation sent a check for $50,000 to the Greater Baton Rouge Area Foundation in Louisiana to help with disaster relief efforts in the Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
recovery. A Virginian-Pilot newspaper story noted that this was, in a symbolic (and practical sense), a partial repayment of a 150-year old act of kindness from the Gulf States.