New-York tribune., 1901-07-14
ARDSLEY FRESH AIR HOUSE
A VISIT TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS SENT
OUT BY THE FUND FOR TWO
WEEKS OF CONTINUOUS
DELIGHT

At Ardsley-on-the- Putnam is one of the places at
which The Tribune Fresh Air Fund carries on q
part or It's benefcent work, giving two happy
weeks in every miserable year to several thou
sands of little who shiver or swelter In tene-
ment houses during the remainder OF the twelve
months
The delights of Ashford HILL which is the name
OF the farm. begin before 1t is reached A long
lovely ride OF two miles through roads full OF
flowers and fragrance. is the introduction to the
holiday, we'll the finale. But they never want
to contemplate the fnales at that Field Elysian
They would stay all summer long. with deep con-
tent If they might
Ashford Hill is q place Of many acres with four
houses innumerable trees and great rocks that are
unending joy to boys and girls alike fur
nshing means for the venturesome climbing that
most children love 1t belongs to the Church of
the Holy Communion in this city, which lends It,
rent free, to the Tribune Fresh Air Fund. reserv-
ing one cottage for the poor children of it's own
parish. These however, share in the Funds hos
ptaty. taking their meals in the main house,
and being in all respects merely detachment OF
the main army. The other children dffferentlate
them as Holy Communioners."
The main house is a large, rambling old structure
to which many additions have been made since
its evolution into holiday house that 1t Is al
most impossible to Identify the original building
washhouse here dormitory wing there. vast
kitchen elsewhere have altered it that its archi-
tect would find difficulty in recognizing It, The ad-
ditions. however. have only added to the pictu-
charm In this house the larger Doys anu
the young men who act as caretakers have their
At a short distance is the girls house. where the
young women caretakers. also, have their apart
ments. A feature of this establishment is the We
randa, which is a retreat In inclement
weather, being of a size capable of shetering fully
a hundred people. 1t is, in fact an immense room
with two walls lacking, and there the children have
games and toys of all descriptions that amuse-
ment is not wanting when rain keeps them from
outdoor freedom.
The fourth house is occupied by the servants, OF
whom seven found necessary.
STAFF OF WORKERS
The personnel of the staff of caretakers is strik-
Ing There are seventeen of them. and all are
college and women. full of enthusiasm and
devotion to the of children. Some under
graduates. taking graduate courses. but
with all this work is evidently labor of love.
whether they are volunteers, some are. or paid
workers The house mother. Mrs. Barlow. Is
I matron at Bryn Mawr, and several of the young
women students of the same college.
Mrs. Barlow speaks highly of the average be-
havior the small visitors whose range from
five to twelve years with considerable elasticity in
the smaller limit. to admit special THE
influence of the many kindergartens is clearly dis
cernibe." said. THE children have their pret-
ty kindergarten plays and certain gentieness of
manner that many of them possess could hardly
have been acquired al home"
Certainly the influence is not lessened by con-
with the pretty. cultured girls and wellbred
young who direct and share the children s
play
No effort is spared to make the two weeks one
long holiday. From the moment that the O'Clock
bell calls them get out OF their cots. TO the
hour for getting into them again. the time is filled
pleasantly After the o'clock breakfast the