Aside from its function as a service organization for the war effort, the Trenton chapter of the Red Cross provided socialization for its members. In his 1919 book The American Red Cross in the Great War, chairman of the League of Red Cross Societies Henry Pomeroy Davison noted:

“That which we call a Red Cross Chapter is a highly perfected piece of social machinery. Its motor-power is supplied by the highest and yet the commonest human impulses and its product, applied humanity, is the brightest hope of a war-wrung world…”

While certainly allowing the opportunity to contribute to the war effort, membership in the Red Cross afforded women many opportunities for social interaction.

Trenton Evening Times, May 11, 1917.

Trenton Evening Times, June 12, 1918.

Trenton Evening Times, July 26, 1918.

   The Red Cross welcomed any and all volunteers. The letter below, a reply from Marie Hilson Katzenbach, Chairman of the Military Relief Committee and member of the Old Barracks Association, commended the “spirit of self-sacrifice and service” evident in Ms. Elinor Dickey and members of the senior class of the State Normal School (now The College of New Jersey). Undoubtedly, Elinor and her classmates recognized the importance of volunteering with the Red Cross and the opportunity to contribute to the war effort.

Archives of Old Barracks Association.

Trenton Evening Times, June 22, 1918.

After completing their day of service, the Trenton Evening Times published a piece detailing the Senior Class’ sewing accomplishments of the day.

The ranks of the Old Barracks Association and the Trenton Red Cross were filled with members of the oldest and most-established families in the city. Many Association members also volunteered for the Red Cross. Women of a certain social standing often felt an obligation to engage in charitable work. In many cases, Old Barracks Association members were kin to local and state government employees or other prominent citizens. For example:

• Jennie Scudder Chambers, Association President and Red Cross chapter chairman, was the wife of Thomas Stryker Chambers, Assistant Adjutant General of the State of New Jersey
• Cora Marsh Voorhees, Secretary of the Old Barracks Association, whose husband Harvey McLean Voorhees owned and operated a clothing/furniture store on East State Street
• Marie Hilson Katzenbach, Association member and Chairman of the Red Cross Military Relief Committee, was the wife of Frederick (Frank) S. Katzenbach, Jr., Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court
• Josephine Yard Breese, member of original Purchase Fund Committee and OBA President for a time, was married to James Buchanan Breese, a prominent Army veteran and lawyer
• Caroline Nixon, Association member, was the daughter of John T. Nixon, the United States District Court Judge for the State of New Jersey
• Sarah Fritz Walker, Association member and the wife of Edwin Robert Walker, Vice-Chancellor of the State of New Jersey
• Helen Stryker, member of original Purchase Fund Committee and OBA member, was married to William Scudder Stryker, noted Civil War major, Adjutant General of the State of New Jersey, President of the New Jersey Historical Society, and noted author and historian

These men were oftentimes involved with patriotic and civic organizations of their own. William S. Stryker was the President of the Society of the Cincinnati of New Jersey, and was also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars in New Jersey. Thomas Stryker Chambers, husband of early Old Barracks Association president Jennie Scudder Chambers, was a member of both the Society of Colonial Wars and the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the Revolution. Vice-Chancellor Edwin Robert Walker was a member of the Sons of the Revolution and the President of the Trenton Historical Society for a time.

The wives and families of such men were usually quite affluent, and were often able to devote their time to charitable causes. Many women maintained memberships in the Old Barracks Association, one or more patriotic societies, AND the Red Cross. Devoted to service, such women wholeheartedly focused on their Red Cross endeavors.

Trenton Evening Times, May 24, 1917. This advertisement encourages shoppers to to support Red Cross Week at the H.M. Voorhees and Brother Store in Downtown Trenton. Voorhees is the husband of Old Barracks Association Secretary Cora March Voorhees.