Research


New York House of Refuge Industrial Department Daybooks


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
These volumes enumerate the monthly operating expenses incurred by the New York House of Refuge's Industrial Department. Each entry includes bill number, date of bill, itemized listing of goods or services purchased and cost of each, total amount of bill, educational subdivision for which goods or services were purchased, and general category of each expense. Payroll entries list payees by educational subdivision or class for which they performed services.
Creator:
Title:
Industrial Department daybooks
Quantity:

1.2 cubic feet

2 volumes

Inclusive Dates:
1888-1894
Series Number:
B1819

Arrangement

Chronological.

Administrative History

In response to accusations of inmate exploitation of the 1870s, the State Board of Charities investigated the operations of the New York House of Refuge and issued a report to the State Legislature in 1879. The Board's recommendation ultimately led to several reforms at the institution, including the elimination of contract labor (Chapter 470, Laws of 1884). In 1887, the institution adopted a system of industrial education modeled after the program employed by the State Industrial School (formerly Western House of Refuge). Boys were instructed in trades and crafts such as hosiery, printing, carpentry, painting, tailoring, horticulture, baking, and gas and steam fitting. Girls attended classes in washing, ironing, sewing, and other domestic work.

Scope and Content Note

These two volumes enumerate the monthly operating expenses incurred by the New York House of Refuge's Industrial Department from 1888 through 1894. Each entry includes bill number (assigned consecutively); date of bill; itemized listing of goods or services purchased and cost of each; total amount of bill; educational subdivision for which goods or services were purchased, such as hosiery or horticultural department; and general category of each expense, such as supplies, salaries, freight, machinery, traveling, yarn, or furniture. Payroll entries list payees by educational subdivision or class for which they performed services.

Related Material

A2072 Registers of Industrial Department Audited Bills, and

A2073 Industrial Department Cash Book, contain information regarding the payment of bills cited in this series.

Acquisition Information

These volumes were transferred to the State Archives by the Department of Correctional Services in 1977, but became estrayed shortly thereafter. They were discovered by Archives staff and accessioned in October of 2002.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Access Terms

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Detailed Description

Dates Contents Box

Accretion: B1819-02
1888 July-1891 September Industrial Department Daybook, Volume 1 1
1891 October-1894 March Industrial Department Daybook, Volume 2 2