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General view of Mettray Colony, France
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General view of Mettray Colony, France
General view of the church and houses at the agricultural colony for delinquent boys at Mettray, near Tours, France. In the 1840s, the colony pioneered the cottage homes system where boys lived in small family groups. This model was later widely adopted in England for many workhouse children
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Media ID 4481279
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10472672
1840s Agricultural Colony Cottage Groups Homes Inmate Inmates Mettray Penal Poverty System Tours Workhouse Delinquent
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the general view of Mettray Colony, a pioneering institution located near Tours, France, in the early 1900s. Established in the 1840s, Mettray Colony was a unique agricultural colony designed to house and rehabilitate delinquent boys. The colony was a precursor to the widely adopted cottage system, which saw children living in small family groups in separate cottages. The image reveals the picturesque yet austere layout of the colony, with its quaint church and rows of modest houses. The church, with its tall spire and cross, stands proudly at the center, serving as a beacon of hope and redemption for the young inmates. The houses, arranged in neat rows, are reminiscent of traditional French farmsteads, reflecting the agricultural focus of the colony. The cottage system was designed to provide a more humane and effective alternative to the overcrowded and deplorable conditions of workhouses. Each cottage housed a small group of boys, allowing for more individualized attention and care. The boys were taught various skills, including farming, carpentry, and shoemaking, to prepare them for a productive and self-sufficient life upon their release. This photograph offers a glimpse into the history of Mettray Colony, a remarkable institution that paved the way for more humane and effective approaches to caring for delinquent children in both France and England. The image, with its tranquil yet resilient atmosphere, serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of compassionate care and the importance of providing a nurturing environment for children in need.
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