130 years ago in 1895, transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

A revelation. Miss Harrison’s lecture eloquent, entertaining and highly instructive. All intensely interested with facts told them regarding the kindergarten system.

Kindergarten training is a subject that the people of Youngtown as a rule have not given much study. Few, very few of the people of this city have the least idea of how a school of this kind is conducted, and some speak of the kindergarten as a good place to send small children when they do not wish to be bothered with them at home.

The lecture on this important subject at Rayen School by Miss Harrison last evening was eloquent, entertaining and instructive, and in some respects a revelation to many. … The lecture room of the school was well filled with an audience of some of the best people of the city, when Prof. Jewett in a short talk on the kindergarten question, introduced Miss Harrison. The speaker of the evening said in part:

‘ladies and gentlemen: I have come to speak to you this evening on one of the greatest subjects that can occupy the public mind. Froebel, that distinguished scholar, who made a life study of the kindergarten question said, begin the education of a child when it is in its mother’s arms, and as the child grows, continue to develop its mind; lead it to see and be able to counteract evil and learn that which will make it good and strong.

‘This question is as much a science as botany, chemistry or geology, and begins with the instincts of the children. Impulse and instinct are vastly separated. There are instincts that are common to all children, high and low, rich and poor. … Give the children scope for physical activity. God given is the instinct given to develop the child physically.

‘Kindergarten study is the study of universal instincts of human nature. We learn a child to live in harmony with its neighbor…. The kindergarten begins by teaching about birds, calling them members of one family; squirrels the same. We take different size balls or sticks and name them members of one family. Thus we symbolize the ideal family relationship, so that the child may absorb the ideal form of life.

‘The question of capital and labor will not be settled until the use of labor and the necessity of capital are taught to the child. Teach them what a dollar is, and that one man has a perfect right to a little more money than another if he earns it honestly. Our children in their training play at blacksmithing, shoemaking and other trades, and in this manner their thoughts are put in sympathy with those phases of life, and they are taught in this manner the dignity and true worth of labor. Our games may appear childish to some of you but they are not, they are done with a definite and deep-seated purpose. Our children are trained for future citizenship…. As develops the race of mankind, so develops the child.

‘At the conclusion of the speaker’s remarks Professor Treudley said that he had been very much impressed with the words of Miss Harrison, and that in his estimation it would not be a great while until Youngstown would have a kindergarten system in connection with its public schools.’

Compiled from the Youngstown Vindicator by Dante Bernard, Mahoning Valley Historical Society Museum educator.