Abstract:

People Houses tried to realize the ideals of the republice between 1932-1951 and they were one of the most important institutes during the single-party regime. The main subject of our study is Bolu People House. It gained right to be a cultural center by opening branches like other people houses and had an significant place for Bolu because it helped Bolu to have a social, cultural and economical identity. Previously, many studies were done about Bolu People House, yet the archive was never used or was used restrictedly in those studies. For this reason, our study is different in terms of using the rate of archive comparing the other studies. This study which is based on archival resources about the establishment of Bolu People House and its functions includes the history of the institute and determines its contribution to the development of Bolu. Also it provides important contributions to the history of Bolu as well as Bolu People House activities. Bolu People House has worked in order to make people adopt the principles of the republic and to build a new society in the light of its purpose of establishment. There are three parts in our study to crystallize this process. Bolu People House's purpose of establishment, its chairmen, financial resources and its functions are included in the first part. In the second part, Bolu People House's role in the national holidays and in the local events is examined and in the last part, the activities of the branches of People House are addressed. Bolu People House's branches and their activities have helped Bolu to develop culturally, socially and economically.

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