Historical Materials

Page

School Courtyard

View of the courtyard behind the school building (right) and gymnasium (left).

Type: comparison Dates: 1933 Schoolhouse / Gym

Second Floor Classroom

A classroom on the second floor of the School Building, taken circa 1903. The boys are learning spelling by dictation. The building was heavily renovated in later years, but its iconic roof line can clearly be seen in the window.

Type: comparison Dates: 1903 Schoolhouse / Gym

Short History by Daly

History of the Walter E. Fernald Development Center, by Marie E. Daly. PDF, 4 pages.

Type: document

Shriver Center Opening

An article on the opening of the Shriver Center from The Boston Globe, January 14, 1966.

Type: photo Dates: 1966 CERC Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center

Storeroom

A view of the Storeroom Building, which was originally used as a power plant and laundry for the school in 1891.

Type: comparison Dates: 1903 Storeroom

Students in Gymnasium

Students inside the Fernald gymnasium circa 1903, contrasted with a contemporary view after the school's closure. Marching to drums and music was considered an important activity, as children with a wide range of ability could follow the beats and repetitive motions.

Type: comparison Dates: 1903 Schoolhouse / Gym

Trench Diggers

Fernald boys dig a new water main to the schoolhouse and gymnasium in the background, circa 1903.

Type: comparison Dates: 1903 Schoolhouse / Gym

Utility Map

This map illustrates the water and steam connections in the central portion of the campus. Discovered by the recordation team in Howe Library, the item had suffered major damage from neglect. Observing the buildings shown and their modifications, we can surmise that the map dates to 1918-1921.

Type: map Dates: 1918-1921

Warren Hall and South Nurses' Home

A view of Warren Hall (left) and South Nurses Home (right). Warren Hall was a dormitory for girls, while South Nurses served as a residence for Fernald staff. Both were built circa 1906-1907.

Type: comparison Dates: 1933 South Nurses Home Warren Hall

Waverley

View of Waverley Hall, the original administration building constructed in 1891.

Type: comparison Dates: 1933 Waverley Hall

West Nurses Entrance

Entrance to the West Nurses Home, viewed from a lawn that was later used as a playground. West Nurses was built in 1905 for the women working in the western campus, mainly used for female residents during Fernald's early years.

Type: comparison Dates: 1933 West Nurses Home

Wheatley Ward

A room inside Wheatley Hall, built in 1933. This was originally the school's nursery, caring for the youngest and most fragile children and infants at the institution. The building was converted to a furniture repair shop in later years.

Type: comparison Dates: 1976 Wheatley Hall
Page