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The Glen Mills Gymnasium 100 years ago |
NOTE
In late 1888 some 378 acres was purchased to establish the "House of Refuge" aka todays Glen Mills School in Thornbury. The reform school for boys opened in 1892, the name was changed to Glen Mills in 1911. Below is a look back from almost 120 years ago.
A VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF REFUGE
The Good Impressions of a Lady Visitor to Glen Mills – An Excellent System Used
“A
work that is well worth the trouble of doing is that which is undertaken by the
committee who have in charge one of Pennsylvania’s most noble institutions, the
House of Refuge. On the hills at the
station called Glen Mills, are situated the buildings, the elegant and
commodious cottages where boys live in families. The large main building where the meetings of
the directors are held and where the business of the school is transacted, the
chapel where the boys are assembled for religious instructions and for lectures
and entertainment; the gymnasium, one of the largest and best equipped in the
United States; the various school buildings and workshops – all surrounded by
beautifully kept lawns and walks, make one of the most charming pictures
imaginable. The views of the surrounding
hills and valleys with their garnered crops and stretches of woodland are
magnificent and exert of themselves an untold influence in reclaiming the
wayward youth who must go to school here.
“There
are about eight hundred and fifty boys in the school, ranging in age from six
to eighteen years. Their faces, some of
them dear, sweet faces, poverty and neglect have hardened and on which the want
of love, which every human being needs, has left a desolate look.
“It
was my good fortune to visit the boys with Colonel Hawley, one of the
directors, who has ever the good of the boys at heart, and who does not think
his duty finished when he has met with his friends and directed how they shall
be taken care of, but who goes straight to the boy and interests himself in
each one and thinks of something to entertain and interest.
IN
THE KINDERGARTEN – “The kindergarten is managed very much as all good
kindergartens are. The songs and games
and work are enjoyed very much by all.
Besides this, they are all being taught to read and write and cipher. These little boys are kept in a cottage by
themselves; their dainty white beds spotlessly clean; their little table with
white cloth carefully set, and all their appointments for recreation, work and
study, all that the most fastidious could wish; and yet through it all we were
sorry for these poor little bits of humanity who could not have known a tender
loving mother’s care and devotion.
“At
the gymnasium the boys are under the care of an experienced teacher. We saw a class in Indian club swinging. The teachers told us that it was the class of
the lowest grade of intellect in the school.
“They were boys that were perhaps sixteen or more years of age who had
been either too worthless to learn or had not the opportunity to go to
school. The obedience and quick
precision necessary to the giving of movements required by the teachers were
very difficult for some. In the basement
of the gymnasium is a swimming pool, the water being warmed to the proper
temperature. The boys are allowed by
cottages in their turn, evenings at the swimming pool. While we were in the basement looking at the
miniature lake, we turned and saw a door leading into what appeared an
underground tunnel, which it proved to be, all the buildings are so connected,
lighted with electric light, and ventilated.
In case of a storm or inclement weather, the boys do not have to go out
of doors to their work or to school.
“We
visited various school rooms where the classes were being taught according to
the best methods, and where they are evidently making rapid progress, for these
boys are no stupids. We visited the
various shops, where the boys work in wood and iron. Those who are old enough are taught a trade,
so that they are allowed to know there is no need of them going without
employment, as they are skilled in the use of their hands and eyes.
“As
we passed through the different rooms many of the boys dropped for the instant
their work to shake hands with Colonel Hawley, who was evidently a great
favorite with them. The bright look
which they all gave him was evidently all the reward he desired for his
thoughtfulness for them. ‘Are we to have
a lecture, Colonel?’ greeted him on every side.
“In
the printing department the boys get out a daily paper which is a little
sheet. In every department there is
evidence of the inborn American genius.
In the paper hanging and wall decorating department some of the designs
were beautiful. In some of the cottages
the border on the sitting room wall had been designed and executed by the
boys. It was entitled the ‘Circus’ and
it certainly has made more attractive their reading and play room.
“At 5
o’clock the boys are all lined up in a large room for the purpose of separating
them into their families. During the day
they all work according to their ability and aptitude, but at their homes they
are classed according to size. This
makes possible very fine drills and military discipline. I can think of no grander night than that
made by this small army of boys lined up in quiet readiness waiting for the
order to march to their homes. There is
a friendly rivalry among the different cottages for the report in marching and
drill work.
HOW
THEY LIVE – “As it came on supper time we visited the cottages to see how they
lived. The boys had not yet arrived when
we went into No. 9 so our party descended to the basement to see them come in. As soon as the boys were disbanded and could
speak to Colonel Hawley they kept us busy shaking hands with them. One boy was afraid that so many of them
shaking hands would soil the ladies’ gloves.
Colonel Hawley had some x-ray pictures in his pocket, which he showed and
explained in the great delight of the boys.
One youth had a black cat which he informed me was the mascot of that
cottage, and brought them all their good luck.
“So
on through all the various phases of their systematic life we went. At one cottage we found the boys assembled in
their reading room, some reading, some playing checkers and other games. One of the boys suggested that if one of the
ladies would play on the organ a hymn they would sing, and they all united in
the singing. In one cottage where the
boys had received a particularly good report, the matron had prepared a treat
of molasses candy.
“Everything
through the whole institution was clean, neat and systematic. The boys are healthy and in good physical
condition, and apparently in good spirits.
There would seem no reason why such a training for several years should
not serve to correct evil tendencies in all these boys – the training of the
head and the hand and shall I say the heart?
“Only
a few people in the world like Colonel Hawley ever think to do these things
which would teach these boys to be men, to feel that they have a friend, a
human friend, to whom they can go in time of trouble and need. And that money and the work of devoted teachers
can do for these boys is being done there at the House of Refuge. Yet, they have few friends and little
incentive to follow in the path of virtue, other than that which habit gives
them, I come away convinced that were we all more mindful of the waifs who have
not yet been sent to this school, or if time and opportunity permitted, would
take the trouble to become the friend of only one of these poor children, whose
condition may be partly due to the poverty of parents, that we would be
following in the footsteps of Him who said, ‘Suffer little children to come
unto me,’ and we would be better men and women for it.”
Experience Hands-On History this Summer at the Chadds Ford Historical Society!
Our second summer camp is new for this year, our Hands-On History Summer
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