OUR HISTORY TIMELINE
FROM 1882 TO TODAY
Early 1882
A small group of traveling men happened to meet in a Chicago hotel and strike up a conversation about the issues that confronted the travelling salesmen.
Recognizing the important of cooperation to solve these issues, these men go on to invite 24 other salesmen to a meeting at the Lima House, Lima, Ohio, on February 12, 1882.
At that meeting, a temporary organization known as “The Traveling Men’s club was formed.
TPA has always been alive to the issues of the day, successfully securing enactment of laws in various states regulating safe travel accommodations, fair commerce laws, child protection and safety, and more.
Summer 1882
The group holds another meeting in Bellefontaine, Ohio on June 24, 1882. At this meeting a permanent organization is founded, with a Constitution and Bylaws, and the first officers are elected.
The organization is official dubbed “The Travelers Protective Association of the United States.”
Membership dues increased for the first time, from 1.00 a year to $2.00. Still, most of the budget came from voluntary contributions rather than dues.
1889
At the Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, the organization’s deficit was of such amount that the members realized another year would see the end of this group. Even the most dedicated members concede that they could not take up the necessary funds.
1890
To fill the widening budget gap, George S. McGrew of St. Louis and several other men decided to add accident insurance to their offerings.
At the 1890 meeting, this group officers to take over the deficit (approximately $2,200) in return for moving the associations headquarters from Chicago to St. Louis and accepting the plan to offer insurance.
1891
The new officers are successful in re-launching the organization, growing membership to 1,138 by the time of the 1891 annual convention.
1894
Due to wise management of funds, the association is able to raise the death benefit to $5000.
Soon after, in 1911, partial disability benefits are added.
1934
Eligibility for membership is broadened to include all persons who qualified as preferred risks, not just salesmen and managers.
1941
The Association adds an airplane death benefit to their contracts.
1946
The Association inaugurates an annual Child Accident Prevention Week Program on a national scale.
This program proves highly successful and today enjoys the cooperation of many police and fire departments, civic clubs, and parent-teacher associations.
1947
After a four-year trial period, The Association adds 28 days’ hospitalization benefits.
1963
A non-disabling medical benefit is added, allowing a member payment for a minor injury.
1966
At the National Convention, the role of Community Services Chairmen if formed at the Post, State, and National levels in order to more closely align the Association with Community Service opportunities in all areas.
1975
The Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and Near Deaf is created (today this is known as the TPA Hearing Trust).
1993
Women are granted TPA membership for the first time. Women now hold a variety of leadership positions at all levels of the organization.
TODAY
The Association is licensed in 29 states with 151 Posts in the principal cities of these states. Over 17,000 people have been members for 25 years or longer, and over 1,500 are 50-year members.
“We’re really grateful for the grant program that was able to help us get the hearing aids for Malina. Without that help there would have been the stress of debt or not being able to provide for her to get those hearing aids.
Her hearing aids and the technology that is connected to them has really helped her to be able to navigate the world we’re in and we’re just grateful for the support and the option and the availability of a grant that could help us in this time of our need. “
“I’m going to regular school and I get to play sports with my friends… Thank you again for helping me do the things most 10 year olds take for granted.”
“I received my first scholarship from TPA at the end of my second year [at Central Institute for the Deaf]. This was such a blessing for me and my family. It helped cover the cost of tuition… Thank you so much for the generosity and kindness. My family can’t thank you enough. “