The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-31
TO ADVANCE THEIR RACE,
Work Done by the ROOre-Street Industrial
Institution.
COLORED CHILDREN TAUGHT TRADES.
An Institution in Richmond Where the Boys
Become Printers and Carpenters, and
the Girls Learn to Sew.

How many people in Richmond have ever
heard Of the Moore-street Industrial Insttu-
ton. of its objects, or Of the great work 1t Is
doing for the advancement Of the colored
race, or how many people even know where
Moore street is?
A narrow. crooked. unimproyed thorough
fare beginning at Brook avenue andrunnIng
west to Bowe street between Leigh and Ba-
con Quarter branch, is familiar to the inhabi-
tants Of Jackson ward as Moore street
But let the surroundings be as uninyiting as
they really are. and the place almost as un-
known TO the citizens Of Richmond as though
it did not exist there is there nevertheless an
institution with natural location which at
small expense could be made most beautiful,
and which is even now doing work for the
colored race, the benefits of which are IN
calculaDle.
RESULT OF TOLL.
The Moore-street Industrial Institution as
it stands to-day is the result OF years OF hard
work. economy and energy.
The idea OF It's establishmentWas originated
way back in tho seventies by its founder and
present superintendent, John Oliver, who
with several others Of his race, feeling the
great need of an institution which would aid
both sexes 10 battle with the world, and the
young to begin life with prospects other than
those of IA struggle with abject poverty de-
cided TO at least make an effort to give TO
those Of their race who would accept II an
honest manual education.
Oliver at once devoted himself to the raising
of funds. but years slipped by before anything
OF definite nature was accomplished.
cHARrEREB BY LAW.
In 1912 the institution was chartered under
the laws of Virginia, and about tine same time
a small printing Office was established. The
carpenter shop and sewing school were or
gained about year later. but at first on q
very contracted scale.
The object of the institution is to promote
manual and industrial education and habits
of industry among young colored people.
The plan was. and IL, 70 take into the school
each year pupils who are being educated IN
the public school, boys Ia carpentry and
printing at eleven years of age, and IN the
girls industrial department from eight 10
seventeen years of age.
The material condition of the colored peo-
pie. especially those who have large families,
make Tue conditions not SO favorable fora boy
TO attend school after he has attained the age
Of fourteen. They are compelled TO seek en-
ployment for subsistence early.
ITS GROWTH
This institution has had, through the years
Of Its existence a steady and healthy growth
and to-day its influence is strongly felt
Its grounds occupy nearly a whole square.
on which are three large buildings, and all
owned by the institution.
A part of the buildings are. however occu-
pied by the Brook public school, where
about $50 scholars receive daily instruction.
The pupils attend the institution on alter
nate days. and are received from the various
public schools IN the city. Almost every
evening there can be observed ia the carpen-
| ter shop scene of life and activity-about a
score of boys and young men hard at work
saving and hammering
| All work is done under instruction and in
accordance with charts The beginners are
required To first get out a square block, and
| then taught all kinds of bench-work, such as
l hand chisellins. cutting miters. making Joints.