| Thanksgiving at the State School 1888 |
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Posted: Sunday, November 8, 2009 4:00 am
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During the 60-year era of the State School Orphanage (1886-1945), few in our community really knew and understood the child-saving efforts of this state Orphanage. Today, even fewer are aware that 10,635 Minnesota children were placed on the West Hills grounds. During the 1930’s the School often housed 500 children. It was an attempt by the State to save these children from crime and poverty that had left them orphaned, dependent, neglected and abused.
As we approach Thanksgiving 2009, it’s insightful and thought-provoking to look back at Thanksgiving at the State School in 1888. What were they thankful for?
Here are excerpts from a Dec. 7, 1888, Owatonna Journal article:
“No happier family could have been found in Owatonna, nor, I doubt not, in Minnesota on Thanksgiving day, than the one that gathered in the new dining hall ay the State school.
To witness the tables was worth the while. It was a motley crowd, black and white, red and yellow, little blue eyed Swedes and Germans, French-Indians descended from the Aboriginal tribes, Dutch, Irish, Americans, all together, made a society truly democratic. Interesting personal histories might be written that would be thrilling in the extreme, and would record touching stories of dissipation, loss, drunkenness and consequent poverty.
One thing we were grateful for, was the system by which the State, ever in the front rank of Christian civilization, has taken kind charge of the children of the poor and provided them with the common blessings of life. Another reason for thanksgiving was the fact that every one of the large family of ninety or more was in almost perfect health. Twice, only, since the institution opened two year’s ago, has the chapel been opened for a pathetic little funeral, where tears were shed, not so much because the bruised and tired little feet were spared from further traveling the rough road that had been their way, but because of the absence of those who should have mourned there.
The conditions which surrounded many of these children before they came here were those which develop criminals and permanent paupers, and the question of their release from such surroundings appeal more strongly to us when we remember that they are children of tender years, placed in these conditions in consequences of others’ sins and by no act of their own.
And what are they all here for? The State has collected them and is caring for them in their helplessness for economic as well as philanthropic reasons. As a matter of State policy it is a step in the right direction in the discharge of the duty of the State toward children. It is a measure of protection, and we mean protection for the child from wrong and neglect, and protection of the State from the injury and expense sure to result, if children are allowed to grow up in ignorance, idleness, and vice. It is the business of the institution to make good citizens of its waifs, many of whom are the offspring of offenders. Taken while they are young and impressible, they are trained morally, intellectually and socially. Disabilities are removed and they are given a fixed character and sooner or later the State will have value received for the money thus invested. And this desirable result is accomplished at a cost but little if any greater then would be taxed to the counties to maintain them in the county poor houses.
One family of three children received into the School had been maintained by the county from which they came, without education or respectable social advantages an aggregate time of twenty-three years. They were maintained in the School, at public expense a total time of eight months when they were placed in good homes and made members of families of good social and moral standing, and in all probability the public is forever relieved of their support, while the children are being reared in homes as we know home. And while not all who go from here turn out so well, if half of them are reclaimed, the gain to the State is beyond computation.
Now that Thanksgiving is past the little ones are reckoning how long it will be before Christmas will come, and they are learning appropriate songs and pieces to speak, and will be able to tell you the sweet old Christmas story of “The Baby in the Manger.”
Thus ends the article, but two other Owatonna Journal articles from that era also give us pause as to how fortunate we are today. Nov. 16, 1899: “Those who visited the State Public School last Monday evening (and saw the electric lights) realized how convenient it would be to have electric lights in the city.” Aug. 11, 1899: “A new long distance telephone has been put in the office in the Main Building (today our City Administration Building), and is a great convenience. It is so constructed that anyone using it can sit down, as at a desk, and converse.”
Like the children of 1888, the Museum board is looking forward to Christmas 2009 with a first-ever Christmas Open House in Cottage 11 on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6. Hours will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with treats and refreshments. We invite the community to stop by and view how the boys celebrated Christmas. What were their gifts and other enjoyments? Of course the Museum in the City Administration Building will feature how Christmas was celebrated at the entire institution.
In continuing to perpetuate the history of the State School, the Orphanage Museum Board is offering another “first” this season — a State School Afghan. It is available for purchase in the Park and Recreation Office or the Cottage 11 Gift Shop. If you’re looking for a unique, useful Christmas gift, we invite you to stop by the Museum and view the afghan on display. Your purchase will be greatly appreciated and proceeds will enable the Museum Board to continue to share the State School story with the thousands of people who visit this historic Owatonna site each year.
The Orphanage Museum Board wishes all a Happy Thanksgiving, and we especially thank everyone who has helped to support our efforts this past year.
Maxine Ronglien is the Orphanage Museum Director and Board Chair.
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