Moron pt. II – The Vineland Training School and Menantico Colony
Starting in 1913 the Vineland Training School operated a farm called the Menantico Colony. At the time known as the Vineland Training School for Backward and Feeble-minded Children, the school purchased 530 acres of land that was predominately scrub growth of oak and pine in order to cultivate it into arable land. Utilizing the labor of the institutionalized boys, the school went on to produce an abundance of corn, berries and sweet potatoes among a host of other fruits and vegetables.
It is difficult to ascertain who, exactly, had worked the farms. As mentioned in the above video, many of the institutionalized persons were not mentally handicapped but likely suffered from behavioral and cognitive problems that disupted day-to-day life, of which modern psychologists have come to more formally label. Whether there is an ethical distinction between having mentally challenged children work the farm and having recalcitrant young boys work the farm is uncertain. Where one side, the mentally-challenged children, could not consent, the badly-behaved boys had the mental capacity to do so.
At the time it was largely reported, and it remains to be the matter of record, that the work would be good for the boys. And the suggestion that such work would be good for the boys, character-building, motivational, and potential-unlocking, is hardly debatable. But it raises some ethical questions. Is it ethical or is it exploitative to utilize the unpaid labor of young boys, even if they are not coerced? Even if they had worked the farm under their own free will (which was likely the case), considering their institutionalized status as stipulated by parental consent, were they of fully volitional condition? Or does it count as tacit exploitation on the part of the Training School?
Either way, the Vineland Training School’s method of treatment conformed to the expectations of society in the early 20th Century. Their methods would probably be preferable even today. The children were treated well, for one. Furthermore, the Vineland Training School’s placement of the feeble-minded into farmwork was perhaps the least controversial and most acceptable of options. A 1919 report commissioned to observe the treatment of the feeble-minded in society, The Kallikaks of Kansas, epitomizes the contemporary views of most of society toward the mentally deficient. There was an imperative in place, that they had to be dealt with in some fashion that was perhaps the most humane but most importantly preventative of their integration and cross-fertilization:
“Up to the present time only a very small part of the feeble-minded population in any state has been housed at all, and very few of these in the proper sort of institution. The colony offers a cheap, safe and happy home for these innocents, where they will be kept from pauperism, crime and disease, and from burdening society with their numerous defective offspring […] The clearing of land offered an outlet for the destructive tendencies of the boys, which are very marked when they are closely confined at school and in institutions or are permitted to roam the streets. Instead of breaking windows, stealing and destroying property, or setting fire to haystacks and buildings, these boys are happy to cut down bushes, pull up stumps and bum the brush heaps. What boy ever lived who is not willing to work all day to gather material for a bonfire? […] The happiness of all the boys is notable. Besides they feel that they are doing something really worth while as the results of their labors become more and more evident. They also appreciate that they are making for themselves a home. They speak of ‘our colony,’ ‘our field,’ and ‘my cow,’ or ‘my pig.'”
Mentioned previously in the Moron post which elaborated on the role of Henry Goddard in the Vineland Training School, endeavors to segregate and sterilize the feeble-minded were fully mainstream and also academic. Perhaps the efforts of the Vineland Training School and other similar institutions to keep the children working on farms were bulwarks against less humane alternatives.
A 1920 Chamber of Commerce trade journal stated, “If one is fortunate enough to be escorted by an official in a round of inspection, there is inspiration in the trip. The faces of the inmates light up as they are approached and they call out their greetings with unmistakable pleasure. it is not an official making the rounds, but an elder brother come to visit awhile. This is the enveloping atmosphere at the Training School at Vineland. The home appears to run itself. We remarked this one day to our conductor. She stopped, smiling and musing. ‘And yet,’ she replied, ‘someone always knows where someone is.’ ‘Control without compulsion’ — that is the secret. ‘We believe in happiness first — all else follows,’ is a school truism.”
Whether that is fact or farce, at the very least there was a perception of goodwill inferred by the children on the part of the institution.
cumberland relics 
Well done again. I never thought there was much to the places gracing this blog, and now I have some more to think about when I pass by.
Ridiculously inaccurate comments. All residents of the Vineland Training School were mentally retarded.
The Training School was ahead of its time, with enclaves and training for residents. This is a model most current agencies strive to achieve.
I am a living witness to the school. My father was the superintendent of the training school. I lived on the grounds of the school as a child. If you’d like true information regarding the school and it’s residents, I’m happy to respond.
Nancy Glass, when was your father superintendent of the school? My father was also a superintendent there, from 67-72 (approx., I was little). We lived on the grounds at 175 S. Main Road. That house is gone now! There were 4 houses if I recall, one on each side of the square–the superintendent, the director (?), the farm director, and the psychologist.
My father was there from the late 1950’s through 1966. We lived in the house on Landis Road, which is gone. Could it be the same house? What is your last name? My maiden name is Lockyer.
Looks like my Dad came when yours left! Our last name is Powell, actually mine is Cox now. Our house was on S. Main, which is perpendicular to Landis. It was a yellow brick with detached garage, right at the Main Road entrance. The Director, Dr. Jacob(s)? lived in a house on Landis, there were about 5 or 6 kids in that family and it was a pretty big house–if I recall it was white.
I think you’re right. We lived in the same house, which I loved. Many, many fond memories of the school, house, and wonderful residents, several of whom I still see. Dr. Jacob had 6 kids.
Was your father with the school prior to replacing my father? I’ve mentioned you to my parents and they are anxious to know if our paths crossed.
I don’t know if they might have met, my Dad came to the school in Summer, 1967–we moved to Vineland from Chambersburg, PA, that year. I remember because I turned 5 that October but started Kindergarten when I was 4. I loved our house on S. Main, too. But I enjoyed playing at the Jacob’s. Doug was the youngest (I think) and he was my age, so we were in school together. The rest were a lot older, in jr & sr high I think. Two were my sisters’ ages.
My dad’s job title was Superintendent, so I’m thinking he replaced your dad when he left? His name was Edson Powell–he passed away in 1984. We we knew the Rennie’s, the Jacobs, and the psychologist, whose daughter was my age (Susie maybe?). I remember some other people but not names. I remember Leslie, who was a resident at the one cottage, he liked me and said he was going to marry me when I grew up–he was in his 40s. But it was sweet, not bad, he was mentally about my own age. I have so many fun memories of the place. My sister worked as a summer counselor for several summers. I used to go to the canteen, where Mr. Auman worked, to get candy, and got a kitten from the power plant–she “followed me home.” Do you remember the reindeer?
I could reminisce for a long time, but should stop…. 🙂
So nice to share such wonderful memories! My bedroom was the first to the right at the top of the stairs: pink. I had a playroom in the basement: to the right down the stairs. Several of the Hungarian workers built me the play house when I was little.
I am 5-6 years older than you, and went to Johnstone with George Jacob. Cordelia and Buzzy were not much older than me, and came to my birthday parties. Tina was the oldest, John and the Doug the 2 youngest.
My experiences may have been a bit different. Due to the misinformation regarding the school and mental retardation, I had many friends who were not allowed to play at my home because we were lived on grounds. The parents were fearful of the residents.
I too, remember Leslie Carroll. Quite a character. Norman Feld used to bike down to visit. Carol Buck “claimed” me as “her baby”. Mr Rennie and his wife were there at the same time as my parents. Many others left with my father, including several of the psychologists and residents, so I’m not certain who else we may know. I do remember Mr. Auman and the canteen, which I loved. And believe it or not, had a kitten follow me home as well.
My parents, who are both still alive and well, kept in touch with many employees for years. The head of maintenance, Bela, remains a dear friend.
One of the previous residents comes every year for Thanksgiving, and we hear from another on a bi weekly basis.
I conferred with my father regarding the criteria for admissions to the school.The entry requirement was indeed an IQ of 70 or below. Dr. Binet worked to develop testing at the school, and the Vineland Assessment is still used today. There were many “high functioning” individuals at the school, one of whom cared for me from the time I was born until the time we left. Mental retardation was a tremendous embarrassment for parents during the early days of the school. The options for education were non-existent. The Training School and Menantico Farm provided a nurturing environment coupled with education and life skills. It provided those with disabilities a sense of value and accomplishment. The Training School was totally self sufficient, and the produce from the farm used to feed the residents. Some of the produce was used to barter with a local farmer who provided other goods for the school.
I worked for years with a program responsible for community integration. I realized that the ideas of independent living and life skills was not new, and had been implemented a the school from the beginning. The Training School was certainly decades ahead of its time.
The criteria for entry into the school changed when the school was taken over. At that time, those with behavioral issues were incorporated into the school, with ultimately disastrous implications.
I don’t remember the reindeer? How about the Halloween Parade and the Easter Bunny coming down the drive on the truck?
My bedroom was the first to the left, not right.
They had reindeer in a pen way back behind the cottages someplace. I can’t recall the exact layout of the place. I also remember Red, who did a lot of the farming and stuff like that. I don’t recall the Halloween or Easter things. maybe they didn’t do them when I was there. Perhaps we could talk via email instead of on here, if I ask the blogger to share your email address with me would you agree to that? The reason I found this blog was that I was trying to find out information about the school and it is really sparse and/or inaccurate. If you don’t mind I’ll ask him to share your email with me.
Of course! If you aren’t given my email, I’m a Maryland Realtor with Keller Williams, last name Glass.
I just came across this blog researching the Training School. I lived there also as a child- my father was Bob Himmelreich and I remember the name Nancy Lockyer. My father was in charge of the male residents (I think) and we lived in a double house on the grounds. I remember the Sembers, and George Jacobs. I also remember a Russian man, Boris – I think he was a handy-man around the grounds. I have memories of him buying me Starburst candy at the canteen! I believed I lived there from 1963-65. We also lived for a period of that time frame at Manatico. My father was the director for a short time and we lived in the main farm house (which I have seen featured on-line on Weird New Jersey)- it was our family home for a year or more.
I am now a Speech and Language Pathologist and supervise the Autistic Support Program in a Bucks County,PA school district. I think the Training School and Menantico were ahead of their time- we are working hard now to create transition programs for our students so they can be productive, happy, and independent adults. I find the history of Vineland fascinating. My memories are fuzzy but your descriptions brought so much back.
Nancy: I have recently discovered that my Grandfather was admitted to the school in 1910 at the age of 14. I am still trying to find out how long he was there, I think for 4 years. He and my Grandmother had their first child when he was 19, and then 3 more children. One being my father. I live in Tennessee now and am willing to travel back to N.J. to research this more. Do you think I would be able to find out more information about him at the School. Is it still there? As an adult he worked for Dupont Chemical in New Jersey in Middlesex County I think, and was quite successful until the depression. He died in 1954 and was again living at the School. I would appreciate any help you can give me as I need to better understand his mental problems for my own family. Thank you. PS I am also a Realtor, in Germantown, Tn
To Nancy Glass and to ‘Momoftwo’: Do either of you recall a female resident, last name Costa? She was probably born between 1937 and 1947.
I just came across this website…my grandfather, Rev. S. Olin Garrison, was the founder of the Training School I never saw the school, but was always interested in this family history. Interesting to read comments from those who lived there.
I would love to know if there are any available records from the training school. My grandmother was there in 1940 and I am not sure for how long. She was labeled as ‘simple’ although she was not and was considered an ‘incorrigible’ because she was unwed and pregnant. The family believes that she had a live birth but she was also sterilized at that time. She is listed as being there in the 1940 census. I would really like to know if there are any remaining records.
The earlier comment that all residents were mentally retarded is just not true. I’m sure many were and maybe that was true in later years but I know for a fact that it was not true in 1940. Women could be sent there for being pregnant and unwed id it happened more than once as that deemed them incorrigable in the eyes of current societal standards of the time.
I’m an archivist at Whitesbog Historic Village. Elizabeth White was involved in Four Mile Colony (today New Lisbon Developmental Center) from its planning in 1913 until she was incapacitated by a stroke in 1945. Four Mile was the second off-shoot of Vineland and was patterned after Menantico. Is there anyone out there who had a connection with Four Mile?