Depictions primarily of the students, staff, classes, outdoor activities and facilities of the Howard Orphanage and Industrial School located on a farm near King's Park, Long Island, New York, from 1911 to 1918. The collection consists of studio portraits of the orphanage trustees and staff (ca. 1909); group portraits and candid shots of students and staff; views of indoor and outdoor class instruction, group outings and recreation; interior views of sleeping and dining facilities; exterior views of dwellings and farm structures; views of livestock and other farm animals; a panoramic view of the property; and a view of the King's Park train depot.Of note are depictions of farming, raising livestock, construction, and equipment operating instruction being given to the male students, while the female students are being trained in cooking and sewing classes. Also included are photomechanical images and greeting card samples that may have been intended for publicity purposes; a pencil sketch of a young girl (1914); and a portrait of educator Booker T. Washington.
Content: Title taken from Howard Orphanage and Industrial School Records.
Content: Some photographs bear photographer's or photography studio's hand stamp on verso. Some items bear handwritten captions on verso.
Content: Some items are composite photomechanical prints. Some items are mounted; some items are cropped; some items are duplicates. Panoramic prints are tightly rolled together.
Content: Collection contains work by A.P. Bedou and Caulkins Studios.
Biographical/historical: The Howard Orphanage and Industrial School, founded in 1868 as the Brooklyn Howard Colored Orphan Asylum, was a Black orphanage operated by African Americans. In 1911 the orphanage moved to newly acquired farm property on Long Island, New York, where the children would be taught "practical skills." However, the orphanage was forced to close in 1918 due to a severe winter and the mortgage went into foreclosure. Orphanage trustees used continuing financial contributions to help educate in-need Black students attending Brooklyn high schools, and, in 1956, renamed the organization the Howard Memorial Fund.
Content: Forms part of the Howard Orphanage and Industrial School Records, 1898-1955.
Physical Description
Extent: 108 items (.4 cubic ft., two boxes)
Extent: 29 photographic prints :gelatin silver, black and white ;19 x 25 cm and smaller.
Extent: 11 photographic prints :gelatin silver, black and white ;72 x 20 cm
Extent: 25 photomechanical prints :halftone, black and white ;26 x 21 cm and smaller.
Extent: 15 photographic postcards :gelatin silver, black and white ;9 x 14 cm
Extent: 4 greeting cards :ink, black and white ;26 x 17 cm and smaller unfolded.
Extent: 1 drawing :pencil on note paper, black and white ;19 x 20 cm (folded), 32 x 20 cm (unfolded)
Extent: 23 film negatives :gelatin silver, black and white ;9 x 15 cm
