
Manual Training
Location
42.38967, -71.2051History
The work done by founding superintendent Samuel Gridley Howe in Boston had stressed both the mental and physical importance of keeping children physically occupied, called "manual training." As Walter Fernald eloquently states, "The name implies the mere training of the hand, but every movement of the hand results from, or is accompanied by, a movement of the mind." As the children from West began to grow up, so did their requirements in this field. Space was needed outside the classrooms for industrial training, resulting in its construction during 1906-1907.
In the four class rooms in the manual training building, Mr. Ray, with four assistants, conducts the classes in painting, shoe repairing, furniture repairing, printing, cane seating of chairs, brush making, etc. The articles made or repaired by the boys are used in every department of the school. These boys show the greatest pride in exhibiting the results of their handiwork. The direct educational value of the work done here is very apparent. Mr. Ray also directs the elementary classes in manual training, where boys are taught the use of common tools, how to drive nails, how to use a screwdriver or gimlet, to use a saw carefully and accurately, to use a pocket knife with a definite purpose, etc.
As alluded to above, these skills were capitalized by the Fernald Center as residents were often making and repairing items belonging to the school and other nearby state institutions, offsetting costs by using free labor. This approach to patient labor was widely used at state institutions across the country, and mostly disappeared by the mid-20th century. Manual Training was last used for audio-visual sessions, motor skill development, and other related activities. It has been extensively renovated before the closing of the school.
Architectural Description
This large red-brick structure with lateral rear wings rises two stories from a fieldstone foundation to an asphalt hip roof. Flemish bond panels with burnt headers separate first- and second- story windows. The sixteen-bay west facade is organized with a projecting eight-bay central pavilion, framed by four bay wings. The main entry is nearly centered on the facade, where it is recessed within a large round-arched opening and protected by a hip-roof hood. A second entry occupies the outer south bay. Large windows, some of which are paired, contain 6/6 sash. Preston was the architect.
Historic Images
Photo Gallery
Related Documents
Manual Training, South Side
View of the Manual Training Building, southern elevation. This structure was built in 1907 to help residents improve motor skills and learn new trades that could be useful both inside and outside the institution.