Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-20
INFORMAL TOUR OF Maine WOMEN'S REF0RMAT0RY
At SK0WHECAN FINDS INSTTUT ION IN fine SHAPE


Maine, probably the one that gets
the least publicity and is most gen.
orally misunderstood. is the wom-
ans Reformatory at Skowhegan. Oc-
casionally some newspaper will pub
fish the report of the trustees which
deals entirely with financial and ply
steal aspects and is therefore dry
and uninteresting. The personal
element, however. which enters in
to the daily life of this home for
hayward women makes a story of
human interest which should change
many of the erroneous ideas which
now exists.
Probably the first impression that
visitor to the institution would
have is the splendid location. Situat-
ed high UP on the northern bank of
the beautiful Kennebec with the we'll
Kept grounds and buildings facing
the south, tho winding river visable
for miles and the blue mountains to
the west, this spot reems by nature
designed to assist in the relieving
Of sorrowing hearts.
A tour of inspection under the
guidance of one of the officials
brings one first to Stevens Cottage.
This is large brick building of
three stories and the first to be erect
ed. 1t Is here that the women en-
tering the Reformatory are taken
first and where they are given a
strict physical examination before
being assigned to their living quar-
tiers. The first room visited here is
the recreation hall where all forms
OF amusements and services are
held. Musicals. plays, lectures and
religious services, all of the highest
quality are frequently given under
proper supervision. Any inmate
showing talent along any of these
lines Is given every opportunity to
develop under competent instruction
Adjoining the hall is the Infirmary,
without doubt one of the best equip
ped In Maine. White and spotless,
with shining instruments in their
proper place. everything Is ready day
or night for any emergency. DR.. o.
j. GAIA IL the official physician and
surgeon, DR.. Donald Dumont has
charge Of dental work and DR.. L: w.
Symons is the optometrist. These
and stand high in their professions.
On the same floors are the off,
GERS and women's dining rooms and
| the kitchen. Here all work is done
by tho inmates, each one serving
her stated period as cook, helper or
table girl. Here, as in every nook
and corner of the big Institution, the
most critical housewife would fail
to find the least particle of dirt OF
| any description. The food is well
| cooked, wholesome and Of sufficient
variety to satisfy any healthy ap-
| petite. 1t is generally supposed that
= pi ison fare prevails here but, on the
| contrary, It is probable that the in
| mate receives better and more
| healthful food than during her free
dom.
In the upper stories OF this and
other cottages are the sleeping quar-
tiers. The rooms are small but large
| enough to contain the necessary adj
juncts of bedrooms. Here, as else
where. neatness Is the prevailing
| characteristics. One may als9 de-
tect the individuality Of each occu-
pant by the little personal adorn-
ment that are about the rooms. The
doors Of tho rooms are electrically
connected with a switchboard In the
matron's room so that IL the occu-
pant Is taken i'll or requires assist
| anco in the night, by opening her
door she rings gong and registers
| the number of her room. This in
dicates that the inmates of the in
stitution are under the care and SUI
pervision of the officers every hour
OF the day and night.
| An invitation to visit the DOG
Hole" in the basement, where in
mates are placed who become I'M
ruly disclosed not unpleasant
room, bare with the exception of q
chair. well lighted and ventilated
here an inmate Is properly cared for
and If 1t Is necessary to pass the
nieht, she has the use Of her own
private bed clothes and toilet ar
ticles. The name Dog Hole" was
given the room in a spirit of fun to
distinguish 1t from a similar room
nearby in which was kept a cat and
her family and called the Cat
Hole"
The women are taught to sew and
mend and many Of them are very
expert with the needle. Fancy arti-
cles are on exhibition that would
grace the wardrobe Of the most fas-
tidious and bring tidy sums under
different environment. They take
great delight in showing their handi-
work and their faces light with pleas
ure at the involuntary words of COM
mendation. Within a short time a
/! fair and sale will be held at the in
stitution when the public will be
given an opportunity to inspect and
purchase any article of fancy work.
| There are rs babies In the institu-
to so months. Contrary to the gen.
eral belief. these children are bright
and healthy and about the dearest
mites of humanity imaginable. Ex-
| cept for their relationship to society,
| the most of them would be a shining
| light in the best home on earth.
They have the same little loving
ways Of all babies and are. just as
dear to their mothers. Should you
visit this department, praise them oil
alike and avoid discrimination.
The children are cared for by their
mothers under the supervision of
Mrs. Ida Thompson, nurse and ma
tron OF this department. So careful
has not even been q case of Group
for many months. The Oldest have
their own small table and chairs in
the dining room and are given the
most lealthful of foods. The moth
ers with children occupy Damon
Cottage with q few Of the overflow
in Stevens.
Milliken Cottage. housing II wom-
en- and one baby. with Miss Parker
as matron, Is the banner cottage at
the present time. For the past two
weeks every inmate has been on the
honor roll. which means that every
regulation of the institution and
every house rule has been obeyed 100
percent. Miss Parker has been q