The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-09
THE FREE KINDERGARTENS.
They Have Become "a Great Force In
indianapolis Life.

Beginning yesterday, the last OF the
schools under the direction of the Free
Kindergarten and Children Aid Society was
opened. Two new schools have been opened
this year and there is a cry from many
parts of the city for like schools in new
districts. With the growth of the city the
work of the kindergarten society increases.
The schools were started in 1882. Counting
the kindergartens and Saturday schools,
there are now twenty-three schools in care
of the society, with three practice classes at
the Deaf and Dumb Institute.
1t has but recently come to the knowledge
of the executive board that this city was
visited a few weeks ago by Miss Mary F.
Ledyard, of Los Angeles, Cal, who came
from the Pacific coast for the express pur-
pose of examining into the systematic ar
rangement Of the schools from the nursery
to the primary schools in this city. Miss
Ledyard was formerly an associate of Kate
Douglas wiggin and her sister. Nora Smith,
who are famous kindergartners, and she
was recommended by DR.. Hailmann to visit
the Indianapolis school, they being the
foremost kindergarten schools of the United
States Visitors from all parts of the coun-
try who have studied the methods of these
schools, say that there is no such sequence
of domestic training school work elsewhere.
The work of one class runs logically into the
work of the next with such perfection that
there is no break.
The kindergarten system now in vogue
in this city requires one hundred instructors,
including the teachers for the Normal Train
ing School. Not only are many teachers In
training each year, but the many other
schools are being maintained. The people
of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, with
Mr.. Greenleaf at the head, have taken upon
themselves the support Of kindergarten
There is little three cornered lot where the
railroads come together at Twenty-third
street and Columbia avenue, about seven
blocks north of the Atlas works, where a
school is open. The people of the Oak Hill
district have formed a new, ninth section
of the Free Kindergarten and Children, 5
Aid Society, and they will support the Oak
Hill school which is located at No. 1Sls
Rowland avenue.
The school which was recently held in the
Rescue Mission has been moved to the Boys
Club building. The school is in session IN
the morning and the building is open TO the
boys each afternoon and evening. one OF
the ministers of the city says that the Kin
dergarten is the greatest moral force IN
this city, The children whose parents
are busy with the labors necessary for the
support of the family are kept in the
schools and are taught many valuable les
sons, distinct helps in the formation of their
characters. To carry on the immense work
IucIe are SSNeIdl idulSS VI lhC city
members of the society, who raise certain
funds each year. The fifth section of this
group of workers will give the first tea of
the season. Oct. Is, at the home of Mrs. A.
A. Barnes at the corner of Meridian and
Eighteenth streets. 1t will be a military
tea, with distinct military features and an
art gallery of trophies brought home from
the late Spanish-American war. The dec
orations will be appropriate and there will
be unique features. The tea will be given
in the afternoon. and will be followed by a
dance in the evening. The ladies of the kim
dergarten have been invited to be patron
esses of the chrysanthemum show and share
in the receipts. The matter will be pre-
scented at the regular board meeting Monday
afternoon.