Founded by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr in 1889 in a working class and predominantly immigrant neighborhood in Chicago, Hull House was a radical experiment in local democracy.   It offered a kindergarten, classes in art, music and culture, meeting spaces for political and labor organizations, amongst many other activities that built community and solidarity.  The residents of Hull House were at the forefront of progressive political organizing from the 1890s into the 1920s.  Today the museum there continues this legacy of democratic community building.  It is totally worth a visit if you’re ever in Chicago!