This special
exibit from the archives consists of annual reports and excerpts from School
Committee reports which focus on the changing nature of vocational education
in Beverly. The movement began early in the 20th century, fueled in part by
the presence of the new United Shoe Machinery Corporation, then the largest
concrete structure in the world, and a significant employer of Beverly's working
class for the first half of the century.
USMC's growth
and decay was mirrored by the movement for industrial/trade-based education
in Beverly. At the time of its inception, the Beverly Industrial School was
known as the most innovative in the state, partnering the factory with an
independent school which based its approach on apprenticeship. The documents
below testify to the importance of the trade school in Beverly's history.
1905:
"Manual Training", School Committee Report, 1905
1906:
"The Fads", School Committee Report, 1906
1907:
"Manual Training ", School Committee
Report, 1907
1907: "Industrial Training", School
Committee Report, 1907
1909:
First Annual Report of the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial
School, 1909
1910:
Second Annual Report of the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial
School, 1910
1911:
"Elementary Manual Training", School Committee Report,
1911
1912:
Fourth Annual Report of the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial School,
1912
1913:
Fifth Annual Report of the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial
School, 1913
1914:
Annual Report of the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial School,
1914
1915:
Annual Report of the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial School,
1915
1916: Annual Report of the Trustees
of Beverly Independent Industrial School, 1916
1919: Annual Report of the Trustees
of Beverly Independent Industrial School, 1919
1922: Annual Report of
the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial School, 1922-23
1923: "Report of the Supervisor of Manual
Training", School Committee Report, 1923
1924: Annual Report of
the Trustees of Beverly Independent Industrial School, 1923-24
"Report of Director of Manual Training in the
Grades", School Committee Report, 1924
1926: "Report of Supervisor of Manual
Training in the Grades", School Committee Report, 1926
1927: "Report of Supervisor of Manual
Training in the Grades", School Committee Report, 1927
1928: "Report of Supervisor of Manual
Training in the Grades", School Committee Report, 1928
1930: "Report of Supervisor of Manual
Training in the Grades", School Committee Report, 1930
1931: "Report of Supervisor of Manual
Training in the Grades", School Committee Report, 1931
1940: "Vocational Shop ", School
Committee Report, 1940
1947: "Trade School Education", School
Committee Report, 1947
For more information, visit the Trade School collection
in the archives.