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History of the North Bennet Street School

Bob takes a trip into Boston to visit the North Bennet Street School. The school, which focuses on training students in traditional handcraft trades ranging from preservation carpentry to violin restoration, has been in operation for over a century. Before touring the facilities, Bob takes a look back at the people and principles that have shaped the curriculum over the years.

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Chapters from this episode

Hand Crafting Reproduction Moldings Now Playing

Hand Crafting Reproduction Moldings

Installing Crown Molding Now Playing

Installing Crown Molding

Carpentry for Historic Homes at the North Bennet Street School Now Playing

Carpentry for Historic Homes at the North Bennet Street School

History of the North Bennet Street School Now Playing

History of the North Bennet Street School

Designing and Crafting Historical Reproduction Crown Molding Now Playing

Designing and Crafting Historical Reproduction Crown Molding

Clip Transcript For:

History of the North Bennet Street School

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" We're in the North End to begin a series of visits to a unique institution the north Bennet street school. In 1879. In an effort to better the living conditions of the waves of Irish Italian and eastern European immigrants who flocked here. Volunteers from a local charity set up a small program here on north Bennet street hoping that by teaching women skills like sewing they'd be providing as was their motto. Not alms but a friend. Not gifts but employment. Soon the public kindergarten was being pioneered here by Pauline Agassi's -- daughter of a Harvard professor and the first president of Radcliffe college. Her thinking was that if children were taught the basics of personal hygiene clean habits and good manners then their parents and siblings would follow suit. Mrs. Shaw set about raising funds to give local residents vocational training in woodworking ceramics and printing which developed marketable skills and prepared students directly for the workplace while giving them the satisfaction of being able to do something well. Thanks to mrs. -- all public schools in Boston adopted industrial arts and cooking classes and kindergarten programs by 1891. In addition to manual training classes the school sponsored summer outings and camps social clubs athletic contests all designed to help immigrant groups ease into life as Americans. The north Bennet street school has survived for well over a century almost a century and a quarter. Of course the mission has changed today they're focused on teaching men and women. The crafts that involve fine furniture making and other arts today students come here from all over the country and the world to learn the basics and the finer points of jewelry making and repair. Piano technology violin making and restoration. Locksmithing. Cabinet and furniture making book binding carpentry and preservation carpentry the art of maintaining and restoring historic building."

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