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A day in the classroom in old Boston
By adamg on Tue, 08/28/2018 - 10:59am
![School kids in old Boston](https://www.universalhub.com/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2018/mysterykids.jpg?itok=6YsHI0AN)
The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this scene. See it larger.
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The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this scene. See it larger.
Comments
311 staff?
311 staff?
Older than that
Boston Development Authority.
Froebel Blocks
The kids are playing with wooden Froebel blocks. Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) was a German educational theorist who invented the concept of "kindergarten" & developed educational toys to teach concepts of art, design, & mathematics. Elizabeth Palmer Peabody (1804-1894) visited Germany to study the kindergarten movement & started the first kindergarten in Boston in 1860 on Pinckney Street. The children's clothing looks more like the 1890s but it could be her school.
Wow
Even though it looks like that's not the answer, I'm impressed with the sleuthing! Kind of wish you were right because it would have meant there was some sort of clue to go on.
The girls are dressed like my
The girls are dressed like my mother so I'm guessing early to mid-1930s. Beyond that, some public school room in Boston?
Since Elmer hasn't yet chimed in....
Adorable!
My vague guess
It's not a school. It's some kind of settlement house or other kind of program for children. As for a date, I put it within 10 years of 1905.
The Answer
Thanks for playing, folks! This is the "Library Corner" at the Benjamin Pope School at O and 5th Street, circa 1918. The photo was printed in the 1919 Boston School Superintendent's report.
The Popey
was the stomping grounds for the Knights of Columbus, who sold out to developers, who converted it to luxury condos. Surprisingly they have plenty of parking considering it's close to a bus stop. Surprised?
Too late for the game
But I recognize those "flapper" bows, these innocent little girls will be tearing up the dancefloors and showing off their knees in 5 years or so. (Yes, the term "flapper" came from the bows they wore when they were younger.)
Not sure, but
I am not sure what school it is, but I am sure that the teacher bought the books, the rug, the chalk, and the hand sanitizer. . She probably also bought one or two of the chairs and all of the room decorations, including the pictures on the wall.
And ...
They probably started before labor day in sweltering 98F heat and no ac, with the teachers not allowed to use fans because the electricity is not up to code.
No Idea!
And I don't see how anyone who isn't a Boston archivist could possibly recognize this place. But the hair bows and dresses put the date in the 1915-1920 range.