Scanned some interesting things last week. First is a catalog of Rochester Business Institute; 1929-30. They had already been in Rochester for 66 years when this catalog was issued. At that time they had courses in Business Administration, Accounting, and Secretarial. Those future secretaries learned stenography, shorthand, typewriting, and filing. All students would be helped to find boarding if they were from out of town.

Western House of Refuge

Fifth Annual Report of the Managers of the Western House of Refuge, 1854. Part reformatory, part school. A good share of the boys ended up there for minor offenses. I did note in this issue that one boy, aged 14, went there because he stabbed another boy in the heart. They state that some of the boys did not know how to read or write and left with those basics skills. Plus they also tried to teach the boys some work skills so they could lead a good life when they left. In the back of this issue there are some testimonials from boys that used to be in the institution. They were just over 200 boys at the institution in 1854

In 1886 the name of the institution was changed to “State Industrial School.” They would move to the hamlet Industry in the Town of Rush in 1902. They are still there but have under a 100 juvenile offenders.

I think it is the oldest publication that I have scanned.

Then there is a program for “Othello” starring Walter Huston. The Shakespeare play was given at the Auditorium Theatre on Dec. 11 and 12, 1936. Mr. Huston would take this play to Broadway in January 1937. Also in the cast is Lloyd Bridges who had a very minor role.