This is the first charitable institution established by the state. A school for the blind had been opened at Janesville, in the latter part of 1849, which received Its support from the citizens of that place and vicinity. At the next session of the legislature it was adopted by the state, by an act approved February 9, 1850. On October 7, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils under the direction of the board of trustees appointed by the governor. It occupied rented rooms until June 1, 1852, when it was removed to a building erected for its use at a cost of about $3,000. The lot of ten acres had been donated by the owners, and now forms a part of the grounds, forty acres in extent, belonging to the institution This building was so arranged as to admit of becoming the wing of a larger one, which was commenced in 1854, and fully completed in 1859. In 1864-5, a brick building was erected for a shop and other purposes. The foundation of the wing first built proved defective, and In 1867 that portion of the building had to be taken down. The next year work was begun on an extension which should replace the demolished portion and afford room for the growth of the school. That was completed in 1870, and the value of the buildings, grounds and personal property belonging to the institution was estimated at $182,000. On the 13th of April, 1874, the building was destroyed by fire, and at the ensuing session of the legislature an appropriation of $56,000 was made for the erection of a wing of a new building on the old site, but on a somewhat different plan ; and in 1876, a further appropriation of $90,000 was made for rebuilding the main structure.

The school was not allowed to close on account of the fire. Suitable accommodations were procured for the pupils by the board of trustees In the city of Janesville, where at some disadvantage, the work of the institution was carried on until January 1, 1876, when the wing of the new building was ready for occupancy. The main structure has since been completed. It is designed to accommodate one hundred pupils, the same number as the building destroyed in 1874. The exterior is plainer than in the former structure, but a considerable sum has been expended fit fire-proofing and in laying solid foundations under the main building. It is now believed to be practically fire-proof.

The object of the institution as declared by law is "to qualify, as far as may be," the blind "for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence and the discharge of those duties. social and political, devolving upon American citizens." The institution is therefore neither a hospital nor an asylum, but a school, into which blind persons residing in Wisconsin, "of suitable age and capacity to receive instruction, are admitted for education. For the purpose's of the institution, those persons are regarded as blind who are shut out from the benefits of the common schools by deficiency of sight. Pupils are regularly received who are between the ages of eight and twenty-one years. In occasional instances others have been admitted. Tuition and board during the school year are furnished by the state without charge, but parents and guardians are expected to provide clothing, traveling expenses, and a home during the summer vacation. The school year commences on the second Wednesday in September and continues forty weeks.

The operations of the school fall naturally into three departments. In one, instruction is given in the subjects usually taught in the common schools. Some use is made of books printed in raised letters ; but instruction is mostly given orally. In another department musical training, vocal, instrumental and theoretical, is imparted to an extent sufficient to furnish to most an important source of enjoyment, and to some the means of support. These two departments were opened at the commencement of the school, and have been ever since maintained A little later the third department was opened, in which weaving, seating cane-bottomed chairs, sewing, knitting, and various kinds of fancy work are systematically taught. The "Kindergarten" was established in 1883 and proves a most valuable adjunct to all the departments.

The care exercised over the pupils of this institution, looks closely to their physical and moral well-being, and the details of the discipline are only such as are consistent with and will further this purpose ; while the instruction is systematic and thorough, as the character and scholarship of those who have completed the prescribed course of study abundantly attest. There has been paid from the state treasury up to Oct. 1, 1900, for real estate, buildings, improvements, repairs and current expenses of the school, in all, the sum of $1,262,134.70.

The whole number of pupils tinder instruction from the opening of the school, October 7, 1850, is 807, of whom 105 were in attendance September 30, 1898.

The average number of pupils the past year was 108, as against 109 the previous year ; and the current expenses $32,520.49, as against $31,964.72.

The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Complied and published under the direction of Wm. H. Froehlich, Secretary of State. 1901. page 518- 519

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