Real photo postcards depicting group portraits of African American boy residents at the parole institution also known as the New Jersey State Home for Boys that was established in 1867 and included residental "cottages," a chapel, and farm by 1910. Shows the boy residents attired in military-like uniforms, some posed with rifles, standing and seated, in rows by age and height, next to and on a set of exterior stairs to the porch of a campus dormitory building (probably Fort Cottage). A white man attendant, possibly postcard sender Charles G. Bohnenberger, manager of Fort Cottage and the teacher of primary school at the home stands behind the boys, most who do not smile, or next to the stairs. By 1911, 82 of the 511 residents of the institution, between the ages of six and over fifteen years old, were African American. The daily routine of the home included work details, school, two recesses of 15 minutes, and devotions. The Sunday exercises included Sunday School, reading, singing, and devotion., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from postmarks on versos: Jamesburg, N.J. Nov. 21, 1910, 5PM., Contain cancelled green one-cent stamps depicting left profile portrait of Benjamin Franklin on versos., P.2023.68.1 addressed to Mrs. E.B. Young, 316 First Ave., Elizabeth, N.J. and contains manuscript note on verso: Add this to your collection. Chas. G. Bohnenberger., P.2023.68.2 addressed to Mrs. E.B. Young, 316 First Ave., Elizabeth, N.J. and contains manuscript note on verso: And this. Chas. G. Bohnenberger., RVCDC, See DSpace Home, New Jersey State Publications Digital Library, State Agencies, Commissions, Authorities etc., New Jersey State Reform School for Boys (Jamesburg), New Jersey State Reform School for Boys (Jamesburg) for copies of Jamesburg School annual reports. Link below.
Date
[ca. 1910]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department LCP postcards - Education - J [P.2023.68.1-2], https://dspace.njstatelib.org/10929/108086
