The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-04

Toward the end OF October the new Nor
NAL Kindergarten Training School at the
corner Of Alabama and Twenty-third
streets will be formally dedicated. The
building has been occupied several weeks
but has not been formally dedicated yet.
The Rev. Joseph A. Milburn, of Chicago,
formerly pastor OF the Second Presby-
terrain Church. probably will be present TO
take part in the dedication ceremonies. The
Rev. Milburn assisted Mrs. II. S. Tucker in
raising the funds with which the new
school was built No preparations have
been made yet for the dedication.
Standing forth as the browning success
Of the Free kindergarten Society's work
In preparing young women for kindergarten
work the new $4,000 Normal kindergarten
Training School at Alabama and Twenty
third streets is the most notable and the
most important achievement of the society
in recent years. The building was COM
pleted about two months ago at a cost of
10000 and has been occupied but a few
weeks.
The building Is an entirely modern red
pressed brick structure of very plain and
modest architecture The building is cleo
trio lighted and steam heated throughout,
with large and airy and well lighted halls
and rooms and is one Of the best buildings
Of the kind in this part of the country.
Most Of the money with which the build
ing was erected was raised by Mrs H s.
Tucker, treasurer Of the Free Kindergarten
Society. When Mrs. Tucker first under
took the raising OF funds for the new build
ing about three years ago she was assisted
IN the work by the Rev. Milburn. After
Mr.. Milhsrn went to Chicago Mrs. Tucker
carried the work without assistance.
SCHOOL OFFICERS.
Mrs. Elizabeth Blaker. superintendent of
the Free Kindergarten Society, is prin-
cipal of the Normal Kindergarten Training
School Miss Stella McCarty is assistant
superintendent of the school. Miss Rena
is at the head of the art department The
teachers in the twenty-five free kinder
garten schools over the city assist in the
work at the normal training school on GER
tain days of each week.
Only a part OF the new building is fur
nished and the society is anxious to raise
money with which to complete the fur
nishing. One of the completely furnished
rooms of the building is the Schurmann
library. established in the new institution
by Charles Schurmann in memory of his
daughter, Helen Scnurmann.
There are about 15O students in the Nor
NAL kindergarten Training School During
the year the attendance will be between
200 and 800. The regular course of the
school is two years, in which time young
woman can complete the work emitting
her to the regular kindergarten teaching
diploma. For those who desire it there is
a third year of post graduate work specially
devoted TO instruction in primary work.
For those who want to be teachers in the
normal training schools there is a fourth
year of post graduate work. course in
this school is not entirely free of cost to
the student. but the amount CT money re-
quired TO take the two-year course is very
small
HELP FROM LEGISLATURE.
The work of the Free kindergarten So
ciety has been facilitated TO a large degree
by the act of the Legislature of 1901, set
ting aside certain tax each year in the
larger cities for the use of free kindergarten
societies. This tax in indianapolis last year
amounted to about $1,000. With this money
the society was able TO establish and main
tain new schools in Brightwood, Haugh-
willie, West Indianapolis and a second col
ored school on Yandes street.
The following resume of the work of the
Free Kindergarten Society in Indianapolis
was written by Mrs. Lois G.. Hufford, COR
responding secretary of the society.
Free kindergarten work among the poor
in Indianapolis has history of twenty
years. in which period il has developed from
a single shoot into a understanding tree of
beneficent activity The idea of giving the
happy life of the kindergarten to the chill
dren whose home surroundings were unfor-
tunate had its inception in the loving SYM
pathy OF one of the best known teachers Of
Indianapolis. Miss Fidena Anderson. who
she looked upon the well-ordered. har-
monious training OF a private kindergarten,
longed to do something for other and more
needy little ones. So she interested people
of means in her project of establishing
free kindergarten In one OF the least favored
districts of the city. she leading the SUBJ
scription list.
In March. 1873. this first free kindergarten
In Indianapolis was opened under the di-
rection of Miss Alice Chaplin, who. for
many years. maintained a private kinder
garten society in this city.
KINDERGARTEN REOPENED.
In the year 1852 some ladies who were
engaged in the work of friendly visiting in
connection with the organized charities of
indianapolis. became convinced that to pre-
vent pauperism and check the growth of
vice. no more efficient means could be found
than the free kindergarten. Encouraged
by the late Oscar c. McCulloch. who was
at the head of the Organized Charities, they
decided TO reopen the free kindergarten.
which had been temporarily suspended, in
what is known as the rolling mill dis
trict." From that day to this the children
OF that neighborhood have enjoyed the
blessings of the kindergarten. Two years
later. in 1854, the ladies who were banded
together for this work became an incor-
porated body under the name THE Indian
spolis Free kindergarten and Children
nTYECTTHNC AMI aNcyryrnc