Research

Scope and Content Note

These reports concern the condition of shops, dormitories, hospital facilities, and other buildings and of inmates at the institution.

One member of the Board of Managers visited and inspected the institution each week to ensure that facilities were being adequately maintained, inmates properly cared for, and needed improvements and repairs made. Different managers stressed different aspects of the institution, but all reported on condition of the facilities, such as: needs painting; in good order; panes of glass out; freshly painted and in good order; floor need repairing; recover steam pipes with asbestos and canvas.

In the margins of the reports, or on the right hand page opposite the report, are comments, apparently by the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, regarding needed actions taken or to be taken, such as: being attended to; reported by Officer of the Day; the Rotunda will be repainted before the end of the month; engine cleaned every morning by machinist; and leak repaired. The reports are handwritten through April 19, 1900, after which they are typed. All comments on actions are handwritten.