The Bessie Mell Home is another early social service agency. It opened in 1889 to serve the families who worked in this building. Located in downtown Athens on the NW corner of Thomas and Washington across from the Civic Center. It served women and children providing places to stay and also lessons.

Object of the Home (1889)

“...to relieve the suffering...but never to do this by giving...”

Bessie Mell was located at the corner of Thomas and Washington in downtown Athens. The map shows it near liveries, cotton warehouses, a blacksmith, and two liveries.

Bessie Mell Industrial Home (~1910)

Bessie Mell Home located at the corner of Thomas and Washington Streets in downtown Athens.

Welfare Work in Athens (191)

In 1889, the Athens Industrial Home (later named for founder Bessie Mell) was formed to assist the families working for the Athens Manufacturing Company. (Athens Manufacturing Company operated two mills: a mill in the SSW building that was often called the Athens Factory; and “the check factory” in the old Armory that’s now UGA’s Chicopee Building.)

  • The Bessie Mell Home is another early social service agency. It opened in 1889 to serve the families who worked in this building. Located in downtown Athens on the NW corner of Thomas and Washington across from the Civic Center. It served women and children providing places to stay and also lessons.
  • UGA’s Hargrett Library owns a collection of sewing samplers that were made by children at Bessie Mell.