Difference between revisions of "Seneca Boarding School"

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==History==
 
==History==
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The Wyandotte tribe was removed to this area of Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1867. The Society of Friends (Quakers) established a mission in Wyandotte in 1869. The Wyandotte Tribal Council donated land for the Quakers to establish a boarding school for Seneca, Eastern Shawnee and Wyandot, Ottawa, Modoc, Eastern Quapaw, United Peoria, and Western Miami children. Construction of the school began in 1871 and classes began in 1872 with fewer than 50 students. Due to increased pressure after the Federal government took over in 1880, the enrollment increased to more than 135 by 1885.
  
The Seneca Indian School was a Native American boarding school located in Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Initially founded for Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandotte children, in later years it had many Cherokee students.  
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Other names for the school were Wyandotte Mission, Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandotte Industrial Boarding School, and Seneca Boarding School. It was supported bu the Quaker Friends' Church until 1880 when it became fully supported by the Federal Government. By the 1920s, the composition of the student body had changed, and was largely Cherokee students. The school had a capacity of 130 students.  
  
The Society of Friends (Quakers) had established a mission in Wyandotte in 1869, and in 1870 The Wyandotte Tribal Council with permission from the Indian Affairs, donated land for the Quakers to establish a boarding school for Seneca, Shawnee and Wyandotte children. Construction of the school began in 1871 and classes began in 1872 with fewer than 50 students.  
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The school offered education to children ages 4 - 18, initially offering curriculum through the fourth grade, later expanding to the ninth grade in the 1920's. Unlike the church-sponsored school that failed, the Seneca Indian School "thrived" in turning so-called "savages" into students; earning it the nickname "Marvel of the Wilderness." The boys worked in carpentry, and farm management and maintenance. The girls were taught English cooking, sewing, home management, and grooming.
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After the 1880 government take-over, the school is reported to have had strict military discipline and dress reviews, and forbade the speaking of Native languages. The schools superintendent often reported students not returning after Christmas breaks (the only break of the year, a Christian holiday.)
  
The federal government began to assume a more active role in Indian education starting in 1876. The federal government continued to assert increasing control over the school, completely managing it by 1880, although the Friends continued to support it with gifts. Due to recruitment efforts and increased pressure by the fed gov, the enrollment increased to more than 135 pupils by 1885. (Some accounts hold that the fed gov used the BIA agents to threaten to take away valued food rations if children were not sent to the boarding school.)
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The school had an outbreak of measles and typhoid in 1927, and "dozens of children" died.
  
Children aging 4-18yrs old attended the school, which initially offered curriculum through the 4th grade, later expanding to the 9th grade in the 1920's.  
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In 1928, a new principal was appointed, Joe Kagey. The school changed its admittance policy, and was opened to children of all tribes. It became an "institutional" school for children coming from situations of hardship. During this period, the school was known for having a successful athletic program in which their teams ranked among the best in the state in football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track. They held an "Athletic Field Meet" which included compitition in all sports. In 1952, there were 173 Cherokee students, and a 100 students from other tibes. Kagey retired in 1956.  
  
By the 1920s, the composition of the student body had changed, and was largely Cherokee students. The school had an outbreak of measles and typhoid in 1927, and dozens of Native children died.
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The school closed on June 15, 1980. The school's 189 acres of land were returned to the Wyandotte Tribe.
Students were not forced to speak English, but students do remember working all the time. Previous students recall waking up at 4am to start the various tasks they were set to; including taking care of hogs, farming, baking, and cleaning.
 
  
In 1928 a new principal was appointed, Joe Kagey. The school changed its admittance policy, and was opened to children of all tribes. It became an "institutional" school for children coming from situations of hardship. In 1952, there were 173 Cherokee students, and a number of students from other tribes. Kagey retired in 1956.
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Current location of the property is 1 mile south of St Hwy 60 and 12 miles southest of Miami, OK.
 
 
The school closed on June 15, 1980. The school's 189 acres of land were returned to the Wyandotte Tribe. A selection of school records created between 1916-1970 are held by the National Archives. All the buildings have been demolished, replaced by a beautiful new fitness center managed by the Wyandotte tribal government. A large mural inside portrays the history of the school.
 
  
 
==Images==
 
==Images==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:1280px.senecaindianschool..jpg
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</gallery>
  
File:1280px.senecaindianschool..jpg
 
  
 
[[Category:Oklahoma]]
 
[[Category:Oklahoma]]
 
[[Category:Cottage Plan]]
 
[[Category:Cottage Plan]]
 
[[Category:Demolished Institution]]
 
[[Category:Demolished Institution]]

Latest revision as of 16:31, 9 September 2022

Seneca Indian Boarding School
Established 1871
Construction Began 1872
Opened 1880
Closed 1980
Current Status Demolished
Building Style Cottage Plan
Location Wyandotte, OK
Alternate Names
  • Seneca Indian School
  • Seneca Industrial Boarding School
  • Wyandotte Mission School



History[edit]

The Wyandotte tribe was removed to this area of Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1867. The Society of Friends (Quakers) established a mission in Wyandotte in 1869. The Wyandotte Tribal Council donated land for the Quakers to establish a boarding school for Seneca, Eastern Shawnee and Wyandot, Ottawa, Modoc, Eastern Quapaw, United Peoria, and Western Miami children. Construction of the school began in 1871 and classes began in 1872 with fewer than 50 students. Due to increased pressure after the Federal government took over in 1880, the enrollment increased to more than 135 by 1885.

Other names for the school were Wyandotte Mission, Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandotte Industrial Boarding School, and Seneca Boarding School. It was supported bu the Quaker Friends' Church until 1880 when it became fully supported by the Federal Government. By the 1920s, the composition of the student body had changed, and was largely Cherokee students. The school had a capacity of 130 students.

The school offered education to children ages 4 - 18, initially offering curriculum through the fourth grade, later expanding to the ninth grade in the 1920's. Unlike the church-sponsored school that failed, the Seneca Indian School "thrived" in turning so-called "savages" into students; earning it the nickname "Marvel of the Wilderness." The boys worked in carpentry, and farm management and maintenance. The girls were taught English cooking, sewing, home management, and grooming. After the 1880 government take-over, the school is reported to have had strict military discipline and dress reviews, and forbade the speaking of Native languages. The schools superintendent often reported students not returning after Christmas breaks (the only break of the year, a Christian holiday.)

The school had an outbreak of measles and typhoid in 1927, and "dozens of children" died.

In 1928, a new principal was appointed, Joe Kagey. The school changed its admittance policy, and was opened to children of all tribes. It became an "institutional" school for children coming from situations of hardship. During this period, the school was known for having a successful athletic program in which their teams ranked among the best in the state in football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track. They held an "Athletic Field Meet" which included compitition in all sports. In 1952, there were 173 Cherokee students, and a 100 students from other tibes. Kagey retired in 1956.

The school closed on June 15, 1980. The school's 189 acres of land were returned to the Wyandotte Tribe.

Current location of the property is 1 mile south of St Hwy 60 and 12 miles southest of Miami, OK.

Images[edit]