City Readers Digital Historic Collections at the New York Society Library

The Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York is the oldest charitable institution in the state of New York. The organization was founded in 1756 by Scotsmen in New York City who were looking to "relieve the distressed." It was named for the patron saint of Scotland, Saint Andrew. Past presidents of the venerable society include Philip Livingston, William Alexander (the "Earl of Stirling"), Andrew Carnegie and Ward Melville. The society still provides for needy Scots in New York City via its almoners program and has a scholarship program that allows two Scots to attend graduate school in the USA and two American students to attend graduate school at a Scottish institution of higher learning. Social events for the Society include the Tartan Day parade in April and an annual banquet in November. The Society sponsors a Kirkin' o' the Tartan service during Tartan Week in April of each year. The Society offices are located on East 55th Street in Manhattan, which houses a fine collection of books about Scotland.