Gilpin observer., 1914-06-25


IL Thompson's island Boston hal bor
IL III which recently celebrated it's centennial
IL anniversary, was the result
IL This school has done remarkable
~! work and has set the pace for all in
stitutions OF like nature which have
been established in various parts of the country
The first meeting to effect organization for this
school was held on March 81, 1914. Boston then
but town. In 1t boys bereft by death Of one
both parents, and outside of the carried
by the various charitable organizations, no ade
Quate relief available.
In the beginning management provided princi
pally shelter and food An asylum established
in the West end. Boys from five to twelve years of
age were gathered there, and to the pub
lie schools for education. Six years later larger
quarters secured at the North end in the for
mer residence of the colonial governor Sir William
Phipps.
AS soon after the age OF twelve as was possible
the boys, following the custom of the day were ap
prenticed to farmers tradesmen in other parts of
the state, there the responsibility of the school
for the time ended
Meanwhile another institution was organized
which conceived its object to be something more
than providing shelter. 1t felt the boy, to attain
better results in manhood should receive industrial
training. That was the Boston Farm school which
in 1882 secured charter. In a few months the sum
of $4,000 raised in Boston for the school and
Thompson's island. containing 157 acres, was bought
for $4,000.
Two years later the asylum at the North end sold
Its property there, and. making a union with the
Boston Farm school. removed to Thompson s island
For nearly three-quarters of century the name was
the Boston Asylum and Farm school and agricul
ture formed the basis of the educational system
with an isolation that made conditions almost
ideal for carrying out its purpose little attention
was attracted to the school, and 1t quietly pursued
Its unique work as private school for worthy bows
of limited means.
About ten years ago. more truly to describe its
present functions, the changed by the
legislature to the Farm and Trades school
The school is supported by endowments tut
ton fees and subscrfftio Its vested funds
amount to nearly s250.O00 but the income from
this source and tuition leaves deficit of nearly
$4,000 year. which is made up by subscrip-
tions Tuition fees amount about $4,000
year the annual expenses about $36 O00
Provision is made for 100 boys, whose eligibil.
Hy Tor admission requires them to be between
ten and fourteen years Of of good moral
character. In fair physical condition and who are
not lower than the sixth grade in grammar school
recommendations are required from the family
physician, a clergyman and from three or four
persons of recognized standing in the community
Admissions made times a year Only
boys whose recommendations satisfactory are
admitted and, II on trial. boy proves to be un-
htted for the school, he is not allowed to remain
After admission the school furnishes everything
needed for the bny-clothing shelter subsistence
medical attendance and trade opportunities and
moral discipline
The school aims to ht the boy for higher pur
suits. and, upon completing the at school,
TO place him either in higher school or in a
position for which he seems adapted.
AS the general farm work necessarily in
ciuued some instructions in certain trades,
hs carpenterng and painting and the island loca.
tion permitted practical instruction In the use
and management of boats. the first enrichment Of
the curriculum occurred in 1857, when a brass
band was organized and has been in existence
since.
1t is said to be the Oldest boys band in the
country. and is of the distinctive features of
the school
In 1882 the educational system was greatly
broadened by the erection and equipment Of
Gardner hall. which contained printing Office
manual training outfits and woodworking lathes.
Here the first soyd lessons given, 20 far
ms known. in this country.
Interest in these several branches was greatly
stimulated. and the school course was so changed
as to permit almost daily lessons in carpentry
and printing. while ordinary school work still
continued,
Today instruction is given on the following sub
5ects: Preparation OF tho soil planting Of seed,
cultivation, harvesting anh rotssaro OF crops, cu
fivation OF fruits and orcnard setting out
and caring for trees and shrubs. testing and Sc
1ecng seed, mixing OF chemicals for fertilizers
1neteorology vocal and instrumental music, sloyd,
mechanical drawing, cabinet work. wood turning,
carpentry, blacksmithing machine work In metal,
printing and binding. painting, cobbing ohce
work, the handling Of boats and the whole realm
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