The Arbutus "Farm School"
"Farm School" Plaque Dedication
BALTIMORE MANUAL LABOR SCHOOL
FOR INDIGENT BOYS
(Farm School)
1839 - 1922
 At the northeastern edge of the UMBC campus on a grassy plateau overlooking the old
communities of Arbutus, Halethorpe, and Cowdensville there once existed the "Manual
Labor School for Indigent Boys", or the "Baltimore Farm School" as it was
frequently called. To our left is an old photograph of this school's primary residence
building which was constructed of brick in 1860 at a cost of $16,000. This building was
home to many students over the years until it was destroyed by fire in 1916. Now with the
school's above-ground structures gone, and enhanced only by a few majestic oaks and poplar
trees, the site stands as a reminder not only of our community's early involvement in the
education and welfare of young children, but also as a reminder of the scenic beauty once
witnessed by the school's children, staff, and passersby of yesteryear. This early
benevolent institution, inspired by a Quaker concept, was chartered in 1839 for the
purpose of instructing and supporting indigent boys above the age of five years. All boys,
so admitted, were instructed in moral and religious duties and the subjects usually taught
in common English schools. Each boy having been taught to read,
"shall be furnished with a copy of the Holy Scripture in the English language;
and, each and every such boy shall have the privilege of reading said Scriptures at all
suitable times; and when of suitable age they shall be employed in a regular course of
labor and be instructed in agriculture, or such other useful occupations, so that they may
be prepared to earn their own livelihood."
(MLS Report 22, 1866 / Maryland Historical Society)
Perhaps the best tribute to the school is found in a 1903 news article
entitled;
"Baltimore Farm Where They Raise - Good, Honest Citizens",
"Just outside the pretty little village of Arbutus, about seven miles from
Baltimore, there is a farm whose principal product for 60 years has been men. It is a
beautiful farm, too, with 200 rolling acres of meadow land, orchards and fertile fields;
with sleek cattle grazing over broad pastures and with attractive buildings embowered in
handsome trees and the crest of a hill overlooking the country for miles around. It is a
farm that disposes of more than $3500 worth of produce annually, and yet with all the
productiveness in the agricultural line its biggest and best and chiefest product is and
has been honest men and useful citizens.
(MLS Folder, Kuhn Library, UMBC)
The panoramic photograph shown below was taken around the turn of the
century and shows a distant view of the Farm School as seen from the Maiden Choice Road
which is now called Shelbourne Road. Today the Arbutus Middle School would be to the right
of the horse and carriage positioned on the road near the center of the picture. To the
rear and to the right of the viewer is the community of Cowdensville.
Famous Maryland families like the Garretts', Wymans', and Hopkins' from
Baltimore, and the Lurmans' from Catonsville played roles at one time or another during
the life of the school. Johns Hopkins, founder of his namesake university and hospital in
Baltimore, served as a member of the Farm School's Board of Directors for nearly 25 years
until his death in 1873. Gustav W. Lurman, Jr., esteemed 19th-century Catonsville resident
and owner of his well-known nearby estates of "Farmlands" and
"Bloomsbury"; served on the Farm School Board of Directors beginning in 1881 as
a member and later as Board President for a period of more than 20 years.
(MLS Annual Reports/Maryland Historical Society)
 Although many years have passed since
the last child left the school, there can still be seen nearby a living landmark that no
doubt sheltered many a child and passerby over the last two and a half centuries. This
stately white oak tree, now partially encircled by a wall, was growing when Fort McHenry
was under siege by the British and even before the signing of the Declaration of
Independence. Its towering strength along with a bronze marker planned for dedication in
the Fall of 1996, will remind all of us of the significance of the site in regard to our
human institutions and natural environment.
"Farm School" Plaque Dedication
 On Saturday, October 11,
1996, the Coalition for the Preservation of Southwest Baltimore County (CPSBC) and the UMBC joined together to dedicate a bronze plaque at the
site of the old Farm School. Under a clear, early autumn sky, citizens and dignitaries
from UMBC and Baltimore County gathered to commemorate the site of the old farm school
which in years gone by had served as a stepping stone to enable young children beset with
family misfortune to advance successfully into adulthood.
 With a bright sun overhead, and everyone's attention
drawn to the speakers, Mr. Charles Macgill, president of the CPSBC, and Mrs. Berchie
Manley, vice president of the CPSBC and former 1st District Baltimore County Councilwoman,
initiated a ceremony which brought into fruition their organization's goal to have a
plaque commissioned and installed on the Farm School site. Mr. Macgill then introduced Dr.
Freeman Hrabowski, president of the UMBC, who praised the work of the coalition and
thanked its members for "believing in this land and this place and for including us
as a part of this." The event proceeded to include comments from other notable
speakers including: Mr. John McGrain, from the Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation
Commission; Ms. Lucy Merrill of the Baltimore County Historical Trust; Dr. Joe Arnold,
UMBC History Professor; Mr. Earl Millet, UMBC President of Students For Environmental
Action; and Mr. Conrad McClung, an early student of the farm school.
Mr. McClung, 91 years of age, and student of the farm school from 1914 to 1916 is shown
as he cuts the first piece of the ceremonial cake. To his left is Mr. Charles Kucera a
member of the CPSBC and Arbutus resident who did much to uncover the rich history of the
Farm School through old news articles, annual reports, and other documents.  Here Mr. McClung was 80 years later, walking the site
with his family and friends. At one special place on the site he was united with an old
friend, a two and a half century white oak living landmark he played under as a child.At
one point, he spoke of his being carried from the main residence during a fire in 1916
that quickly burned the building to the ground. Continuing on he related his singing
experiences while a child at the school and to years later when he sung radio and TV
commercials while working as a manager at a major Baltimore department store. Memories
continued to surface as he spoke of his childhood walks from the Farm School to attend
school in Arbutus, of the scenery and wildlife in the meadows and along Herbert Run, and
of his unescorted jaunts to the nearby Wilton Farm. All-in-all he reflected mostly on his
life's good experiences one of which was his stay at the Farm School.
The placement of this historic marker materialized through the many hours of
preparation and research put forth by community and campus volunteers and through funding
made possible by community fund raisers, grants from the Baltimore County Historic Trust,
and the Catonsville Historical Society. It is hoped that this unified effort will inspire
others to recognize those special areas that make our community stand out from all others.
Click Here For Plaque! Patience Please.
(For Largest View Use "View Image")
Other sources recommended for information on the plaque dedication can be found in the
Arbutus Time's June 19, 1996 article titled, "Marking Labor School's role in
history", and the October 16, 1996 feature article titled, "Labor of Love",
both of which were authored by Mrs. Seana Kelly-Coffin.
Commentary By:
Coalition for the Preservation of Southwest Baltimore County (CPSBC)
Comments to CPSBC: Charlie Kucera
|