Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1914-07-03

situations of like nature which have
been established in various parts of the country.
The first meeting to effect an organization for this
school was held March 81 1914 Boston was then
but town. In 1t boys bereft by death OF one
or both parents, and outside of the work carried
by the various charitable organizations, ade-
quate relief available.
In the beginning the management provided princ-
pally shelter and food. An asylum established
in the West end. Boys from five to twelve years of
age were gathered there and were sent to the pub
lie schools for education Six years later larger
quarters secured at the North end in the for
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 APP
prenticed to farmers or tradesmen in other parts Of
the state and 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 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 threequarters of century the name was
the Boston Asylum and Farm school and agricul-
ture formed the basis of the educational system
With hn isolation that made conditions almost
ideal for carrying out its purpose, little attention
was attracted to the school, and 1t quietly pursued
It's unique work as private school for worthy boys
OF limited means
About ten years ago. more truly to describe its
present functions. the name was changed by the
legislature to the Farm and Trades school.
The school is supported by endowments tut
ton fees and subscriptions Its vested funds
amount to nearly s250000, but the income from
this source and tuition leaves deficit of nearly
$4,000 year. which is made up by subscrip-
fooo oHo
year. The annual expenses about $4,000
Provision is made for 100 boys, whose eligibiI-
ity for admission requires them to be between
ten and fourteen years of age, Of good moral
character in fair physical condition and who
notlower than the sixth grade in grammar school.
Recommendations required from the family
physician, clergyman and from three four
persons of recognized standing in the community.
Admissions made four times year. Only
boys whose recommendations satisfactory are
admitted and, If trial. boy proves to be
lifted for the school, he is not allowed to remain.
After admission the school furnishes everything
needed for the boy-clothng shelter, subsistence,
medical attendance and trade opportunities and
moral discipline
The school aims to fit the boy for higher pur-
suits, and, upon completing the course at school,
to place him either In a higher school or IN
position for which he seems adapted.
As the general farm work necessarily in
GUIDED some instructions in certain trades, and
as carpentering and painting and the island loca-
selOh permltLeQ practlcal instruction In the
and management of boats, the first enrichment Of
che curriculum occurred in 1857 when a brass
band 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
Droadened by the erection and equipment OF
Gardner haIl. which contained a printing Office,
manual training outfits and Woodworking Iathes.
Here the first sloyd lessons given, far
as 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 the following sub
Sects Preparation OF the soil planting Of seed.
cultivation harvesting and rotation OF crops, cul
uVatlon OF fruits and Of orchard, setting out
and caring for trees and shrubs. testing and
1ecting seed. mixing OF chemicals for fertilizers.
meteorology, vocal and instrumental music, soyd.
mechanical drawing, cabinet work, wood turning,
carpentry, blacksmithing, machine work in metal.
printing and binding painting, cobbling Office
work the handling Of boats and the whole realm
OF household duties