HomeMy WebLinkAboutMy Migrant Labor Camp School 1949-1961 Summer August I, 1989 LONG ISLAND FORUM
I
MIGRANT
AT l`
LAIDIfIc
k1A Jr
SCHOOL
1949-1961
G f /
Helen Wright Prince
The Labor Camp
i
THE FIRST and probably only labor
�x r
camp school in the state of New York
was where I Y
l0 or f taught ears.It came "
g
about shortly after the Second World
War when many farmers in Southold
Town formed the Eastern Suffolk
Farmers Cooperative to create a pool
of black migrant farm laborers.
The Cooperative bought land on
Cox"s Lane in Cutchogue, then
purchased quite a few barracks H,wn w Pnfi e 0Ao,<mv,
buildings and platform tents from the 1949 - The first classroom, with students and teacher.
army. These evolved into one and two
room units with corrugated aluminum
roofs, and at times housed up to 400 constantly protected me from disaster, meal-to-meal basis. A Coke machine
people. They formed a small one-street and I soon learned it was unsafe to sit was outside the door.
village of double-banked barracks and on a fallen log. The office was the hub of camp life.
cabins, fenced from the road by barbed Along the wall outside the washroom The manager was hired by the
wire, unpainted,close-packed,drab and were several large shallow sinks. The Cooperative,and the farmers who were
colorless. No grass, just sand, weeds women gathered here to do their wash members hired laborers by the day and
and mangy looking oaks located in a in large tubs. Some hung their wash on were billed about 50C per laborer per
natural hollow surrounded by lovely lines strung between oak trees but their day. The farmer paid the laborer
woods. But the woods successfully kept most intriguing innovation was draping through the Co-op and the Co-op
out any breeze. There was a baseball it on several rows of barbed wire along deducted the migrant's rent. I believe
field for the migrants above and beyond Cox's Lane, a clever substitute for some had the manager hold part of their
the woods. clothes pins. wages until they left.
Halfway along the wide camp street Across from the wash room was the Later, when the new manager lived
was the community bath and toilet office and store, with an apartment for outside the camp, the apartment at the
building of concrete blocks. It would be the manager in the rear. The store was rear was renovated; the kitchen space
safe to say that the facilities were open a short time at breakfast and was then used to enlarge the office.
inadequate, damaged, and far from lunch,and long hours in the evening as There were two bathrooms: one for the
immaculate. This statement is based on the workers returned. The migrants apartment and the one with shower,
hearsay and the knowledge that the were not compelled to buy their food accessible by key frorn the outside, was
surrounding woods both near and far here, but it was the only store within available to me. The other rooms were
were preferred as toilet facilities.When miles. The prices for meat,dairy foods used for storage and a place for the
1 took the children on a walk through and canned goods were higher but not camp manager to rest. He had to be on
the woods (where they had tried to unfairly so. The migrants had not type hand to check out the laborers at dawn
discourage me from going) they of refrigeration so the store was on a and intermittently throughout the day
85
Summer August 1, 1989
Historic Landmark of Islip Town
Lixterl on the National Register
and until late at night. Young housed their grading crews at
SAGTIKOS MANOR Next to the store was the Dixie Bell the camp.
Bail'ca. 1642 Restaurant, a concession where meals Except on rainy days the migrants
South Cwrmn Road,well Bay Shore for single men cost $12 a week. And were in the fields from about 6:30 A.M.
ATTENTION SCHOOt S: it boasted a juke-box. until the farmer stopped work anywhere
One Hour Guided Tours by Appointment June&September In a barracks on the other side of the from late afternoon until dark. Then the
Call 661-8348 or 661-0137 store was a Recreation Room. The women cooked on stoves rented from
Open Sundays in June 1:00 to 4:00 windows were small and high,allowing the Co-op for the season. Family units
Open in July&August only a view of tree and roof tops when had running water, but there were
Wed,Tours., Sun 1:00 to 4:00 one was seated. There were a few chairs strategically placed faucets around the
Guided mire 6y costumed hostesses and benches. For several years it also camp for all• Sngle men were served at
Souvenir-Gift Shop, Antiques&Collectibles Shop
Walled Garden; Ancient Family Cemetery had ajuke-box. This is where migrants, the Dixie Bell. Weekday evenings were
Open House operated through even the children,got together to dance generally quiet, spent watching
generosity of owner, Robert D.L. Gardiner, and socialize. One Saturday night the television or just chatting,
by and for Sagtikos Manor Historical Society juke-box was attacked and disgorged, On Saturday afternoon the camp
Ovew ion. Adults$2.00. Children 50c but not until it proved a horrible came to life. It was pay day. Some
embarrassment to me. This recreation migrants went to town. A peddler night
room was partitioned in 1949 to make arrive with a station wagon full of
TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN two rooms, one becoming my first inexpensive clothes to sell. From sunset
MUSEUMS classroom. on there was music, dancing and
1857 circa SCHOOL HOUSE There was a television set on a high partying. The migrants were forbidden
Roe Avenue, East Patchogue, NY stand with casters which was rolled out to bring wine or liquor into camp, but
1818 of the off-tee in the evening when the they were getting it someplace. Finally
CHURCH on original location weather was good. Chairs were brought one migrant, father of five children,
Middle Country Rd., Lake Grove, NY and grown-ups and children sat or stood was caught selling it up in the woods.
Open June 1989 around watching it. It was believed some crew leaders also
through The migrant children came from all sold liquor to their men.
October 1989 over the south,but mostly from Florida.
Open Daily 1-5 p.m. For several years the Co-op bus went My First Classroom
No Admission Charge to Mississippi and brought back men Many migrant workers had families
contacted through a state employment with school age children who, by law,
loth ANNUAL BROOKHAVEN agency.They carve as family groups or must attend our public schools while in
TOWN COUNTRY FAIR single men. They came in privately New York State. The camp was located
at Longwood Estate, Ridge, L.I.
owned trucks and cars,jam-packed with in the East Cutchogue school district
people old and Young. crowded with that had only athree-room school for
Sunday their belongings; maybe a chair or primary, intermediate and 71h and 8th
Sept. 10, 1989 rocker, and a stove. Migrants might grade students. This burdened the
For information, phone or write: pull into camp any hour of the night, school with an extra 30 or more
Brookhaven Town Historian's Office sleeping as best the could until the
205 South Ocean Avenue p g Y children each year,most of whom could
P,itchobue, N.Y. 11772 office opened in the morning. They then not read beyond a grade three level. It
1516) 4'3-622t registered and were assigned quarters. proved to be both impractical and
Most stayed the season, even coming impossible to absorb 30 children, ages
back year after year. six to fourteen into the primary
BROOKHAVEN TOWN The migrants usually worked for the classroom. It as impossible to place
NEW YORK same farmer through the season, or them according to age, for the older
assignments were made by the manager children could not achieve at a higher
Henrietta Acampora, Supervisor according to need. The majority of their level and became a disciplinary
Brookhaven Town Council work was harvesting potatoes and lima problem.
George Davis beans although migrants were also So it was in 1949 that the school
Eugene Gerrard needed to harvest strawberries, trustees solved their dilemma b hiring
John 1. LaMura Y g
Anthony losquadro cucumbers, cabbage and cauliflower. me to teach the migrant children at the
Joseph Macchia Small crews of 12 or 13 men were camp. I started with an eight-week
housed at the camp by farmers who contract of $80 a week, with the
F. Daniel Moloney, Receiver of Taxes graded and bagged their own potatoes understanding I would stay until the
Harold Malkmes, Supl. o! Highways g gb P g Y
Stanley Allan, Town Clerk for retail sale. Produce companies such season ended and the children where
as the Long Island Produce and I.M. gone.
86
Summer August I, 1989 LONG ISLAND FORUM
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The Farm Labor Camp at Cutchogue, circa 1950.
The only place available for a As I always started with large classes, A half day of this activity was
schoolroom was half of the Recreation we were crowded with desks. they were supposedly recorded on film, though
Room; and as previously described, it the type that had a seat attached in front I'll never know, I arrived the first day
as dismal, dark, airless and viewless. for the person ahead, and designed to of school in 1951 to be told Miss
The schoolroom was about 20 by 20 be nailed to the floor. Not being nailed Somebody was going to take pictures.
feet. Instead of partitioning the room off down,any child could move his seat or She said she was writing an article she
solidly to separate it from the recreation desk, thus disrupting the whole row in hoped to get published in an English
half, it was boarded to a height of about a chain reaction. It took me about half magazine equivalent to Life. It crossed
five feet and spanned by chicken wire a day to arrange these seats and assign my mind that this was a ploy to get a
from there to the peak. This probably them to my satisfaction. There were closer look at an unusual school
made for better circulation of air. There personalities, ages, sizes, and grade situation that some interested group
were five high windows and one door level to consider as we tugged and might be questioning. Though the room
in the classroom. hauled them around for proper mating. was dark and poorly lighted,the woman
M
Garden City, Long Island
87
LONG ISLAND FORUM Summer August 1, 1989
i
H,I.n W P1.1-Collcamn
Migrant labor camp children with Bobby, son of George Stelzer, Camp President.
photographer snapped pictures for unbelieving when he saw my children would be ther only a few weeks, so the
several hours without using flashbulbs. erupt at dismissal from an orderly line next year someone else. would he there
If she really took pictures, she ahs an to rolling, fighting, pummeling groups only a few weeks, so the next year
extensive collection of photos on ow on the ground. He watched me pick my someone else would continue where the
and how not to move desks. I chuckle way through this heaving mass of little first had left off. No two children were
when I think of an article called "The and not so little humanity to the car,and at the same level in any two subjects,
Migrant Goes to School'' illustrated was surprised at my unconcern. I am for each had come from a different
with picture after picture of teach and too, a little, but know my control school or classroom in the south. I
pupil wrestling desks around. with not stopped at the classroom door.With one grouped them for subjects with as loose
a book in sight. exception, there were no bad fights in an achievement range as was workable.
The student enrollment was greater my two later classrooms. It took me quite a few years to
during the first few years, and the Many were the problems, Fighting the accumulate sufficient books,
children much scrappier, older, and least of them. The establishment and workbooks,and materials. No one was
harder to handle. "terrific fights were growth of the camp school ws not trying to buy us things,but 1 was always
frequent. Without realizing a fight was without severe growing pains.Teachutg welcome to take anything of use I could
brewing, the desks would suddenly be about 30 children of all ages was new find.
overturned, two boys would be rolling to me, Their schooling was varied and Occassionally Mr. Stelzer, the Head
on the floor, surrounded by gleeful intermittent. They were rarely within School Trustee, President of the
faces. and cheered on by screams and two years of their stated grade level. Cooperative, a farmer and longtime
advice. It took me about two weeks to This meant constant trips to the East friend, would stop in to see me. On one
drill into them that there would be no Cutchogue public school to change visit when 1 was probably bemoaning
fights IN the classroom. books so they could start at their level my problers he said, "But Helen, you
A friend who came to drive me home in reading, English, arithmetic or don't have to teach them anythling. You
after school when my car was being spelling. It was easier to use workbooks just have to keep order"." Does anyone
repaired, was quite astonished and when available. Some of the children know how to keep 30 children orderly
88
Summer August 1, 1989 LONG ISLAND FORUM
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89
LONG ISLAND FORUM Summer August I, 1989
for five or six hours a day without could have done without. other that year. There were several
having them absorbed in something to I will start with the leaking sewer. It things that annoyed me. I was used to
learn?At times 1 was sure I was the only was there the first day of school, a getting to the phone, but Mr. Murphy
person in the whole U.S.A. who cared steady, small stream running past the would lock the office and go off. In later
whether these children learned to read bottom step. A jump and you were years the migrant children were saints
and write and love their neighbors. across on the steps and then through the compared to the children that year. The
During my first year at camp in 1949, screen door. So was the odor. A breeze word Cops they understood. Once or
the manager and his wife,Mr.and Mrs. ordinarily welcome, would now turn twice I actually started for the phone to
Merle Dickinson, lived in the apartment your stomach. This went on for several call the police when they were fighting.
behind the store and were always weeks, and I couldn't understand why Knowing that if I really needed help, I
friendly and available. I could use their the health officer who came each week could break a window to the office was
phone, their bathroom, and their stove to the office next door for camp small consolation, for I also knew I
to heat coffee. In 1950 I did not teach, population figures, didn't do anything might not be granted that much time.
as my son Harry was born in about it. I complained to Isabel Ross, This sounds as though I was in fear of
November. The school was taught the school principal to whom I was bodily harm, but I honestly don't think
instead by Mrs. Adeline Zapp of responsible; I complained to George I was. I just knew I was in an explosive
Mattituck. During the year she was Stelzer, the President of the Co-op; I situation,responsible for these children,
tragically killed in an automobile complained. It was finally taken care of, and might desperately need help. When
accident. but I never felt I had hurried the a life eventually was at stake, it was for
My worst year was 1951. This was process. a very different reason,but more of that
the year of the 31 scrappy children and Possibly it was this sewer that caused later.
the photogenic desks. It also included me to get of on the wrong foot with the My own most horrifying moment was
a leaking sewer,a new camp manager, new camp manager, John Murphy. yet to come, and I guess it personified
a locked phone,an exploding stove and Though we were later the best of the depths of despair this year brought.
a blaring juke-box, each of which I friends, we certainly did aggravate each The schoolroom was heated by a large
brown space heater, shaped like a huge
old fashioned Victoria. One day it was
]l� not acting just right. It seemed to be
smoking and not giving off enough
heat. I leaned over the back of the stove
to see whether the fuel had been cut off
by a valve, when the whole thing blow
up in my face with a sky-rocketing
"who-o-sh."The explosion blew all the
a pipe out between the stove and chimney
and toppled a section of the chimney on
the roof. Luckily it did not start a fire.
But the soot was in my eyes; my neck
and face were black. I was so shaken
I didn't trust myself to speak for fear
010 of going to pieces. I took the keys for
the outside bathroom from my drawer
and left the room with tears streaming
down my face. I could never have
unlocked the balky outside bathroom
We're hiere to sire you. i door; and seeing Mr. Murphy in his
office, I went in to the bathroom in the
Nerslar Bank has 95 Lwanches apartment. [t was impossible to et
to serve y Nr Manhattan to P Po g
No Fast End ar Long island and myself clean. My hair was a mess. I
we're a slid thank,wnln assets en
excess o$a o ballion Let us pr,t washed the best I could and returned to
oui strength and C0mmiE nl to
s���o to work ror you the classroom. The children had been
We're Norstar...ant]were here NOR angels,and their sympathy revived my
to serve you. spirits. Their love came through when
BANK I truly needed it. I took the coat I had
been wearing to the cleaners. When I
went to get it, the bill had been paid.
m ..,.m _ __ _ That is the nearest to any communica-
90
Surruner August 1, 1989 LONG ISLAND FORUM
Mr
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1952-Second classroom children at recess. Washroom is tallest building on the left;office and store are opposite,on right.
tion I had with anyone about the labor camp. Mr. Ward was terribly if they could get him alone. Arriving
incident. And that was the only time the embarrassed at bringing the men to such well before class time one morning I
stove ever misbehaved. an appalling classroom situation,but no came upon him being whipped by
There was a problem with the juke- more so than 1. I had dismissed the another boy. When I opened the school
box on the recreation side of the chicken children for recess, being unable to room door, he slipped inside for
wire. Though l repeatedly asked, Mr. teach above the noise. It seemed to me protection,and the two of us were there
Murphy often failed to keep the door Mr. Ward was even trying to convince alone. His young father had apparently
to the recreation room locked during the men that classes were actually being been standing in the background, and
school hours. It might not have held. He was pointing out school work wanted to teach the boy to defend
mattered any other year, but there was that was tacked to the walls. Surely it himself. It was his manner of teaching
a large muscular woman in camp that is true: there is no loss without a gain. that thrilled me. instead of calling the
year who was too feeble-minded to even From that day on the juke-box ceased boy outside to talk to him, he stood
do much work in the fields. She loved to play during school hours; Mr. outside the schoolroom and made up a
that juke-box!Every once in a while she Murphy always gave me the keys to the song, both words and music, and sang
would find the door unlocked and office when he left the camp so 1 could it in a most wonderful voice. He sang
would reed money to that blaring have access to the phone;and there was and sang about a scared little boy that
monster. She couldn't understand why a general feeling in the air that the the big boys beat; and the little boy
she shouldn't. school had official status and sanction, should learn to fight them back. He kept
One morning in the midst of this Finally we were on our way. It had singing for what seemed a long time.
uproar the District School taken three years. He didn't repeat anything except that
Superintendent, Mr. Harry 8. Ward, There was one poignant incident that key theme of a little boy standin' and
arrived with two men from the State year that still shines in my memory I a big boy beatin' ran all through the
Education Department, expecting to had one small timid boy who was in song. Finally at the end, he sang that
show them with pride the only school constant [error of the other children. the little boy didn't get any more
in the state that was held in a migrant They teased and hurt him unmercifully beatin's because he had learned to stand
91
LONG ISLAND FORUM Sununer August I, 1989
and fight them back. The words and length of time, my alter ego took over. yellow jingle shells, conch shells worn
music were simple, lovely and original, Edward Skwara was camp manager in to spirals,or driftwood gray and satiny.
but hearing that glorious voice on the i953 and 1954 when the problem was They would run to me with these
still morning air sending its message to empty bottles of every variety and treasures and deposit them around me
the boy as a magic breathtaking description all over camp. Although in growing piles. Sometimes we could
experience. some were liquor bottles, the majority do something with them, like making
were the type that were refundable. I a jingle shell necklace or a stone
found that the camp store wouldn't give exhibit,but more often we just left them
My Second Classroom a refund, and wouldn't pay the children there, happy to have had them for this
In 1952 the State Welfare Department enough to make it worth their while to fleeting moment.
sponsored a child care center at the collect them regularly. One day I These children were adept at finding
camp and sent three capable young brought five or six hampers to school, simple amusement. One year they
black women to care for the children At recess we had a clean-up project, discovered a wonderful use for soda
from age three months to about seven with the understanding that I'd turn in cans. First they'd put on their shoes and
years. Approximately half of a small the bottles at home and we'd have a tans amp real hard o the rounded
barracks at the south end of cam stamp p was party with the money. Quick as a wink side st the can making the ends come
partitioned for the child care center in we had the hampers full. Our parry was up around their shoe.Then they'd walk
summer and my classroom in autumn. a success and refundable bottles were endlessly on these clattery clogs before
There was a main room about 20' by subsequently collected promptly echoes, at recess and to night. They'd
30'with two 10'by 10'rooms between without benefit of our efforts. save than under the building and make
it and a migrant apartment: one a I liked the second classroom. My a mad dash get the best ones when
kitchen, the other a bedroom for the husband's potato grader crew was hous- dismissed. No hard feelings if they
child care nurses. This classroom was ed in one of the barracks starting about didn't,just the bother of making a new
lighter,more pleasant, and a lot larger 1952 or 3, so he was in and out of pair, or waiting until someone tired of
than my first classroom. I liked having camp.This gave me a feeling of belong- the sport.
it away from the center of camp, and ing and status among the migrants. He
I finally had a phone. I could phone the was very well liked and it seerned Another amazing amusement was an
other school, the town nurse,or home, everyone was especially friendly. In this abandoned baby carriage. It was as
Though I still had to stand up to see out- room the children seemed much happier much Fun for rides as a wagon or bike.
side, this room was well lighted with and I had a feeling of accomplishment. By weekly progressions it changed from
five good-sized lights, whereas the They looked forward to coming to carriage to hoodless carriage, then to
other had caused me considerable school and settled into a routine. We chassis with handle. After that it was
eyestrain.There was a bit of snow fence began to have fun together. Whenever a toss-up whether the handle would go
outside to give us a semblance of a play there was a birthdya, I'd bring a cake first leaving a base with four joined
yard We had a kitchen with shelves for and buy individual boxes of milk from wheels, or whether two wheels would
extra books and supplies, a sink for the dairy for a party. Several times on go leaving a sort of two-wheeled
washing paint brushes and hands, and lovely fall days I had the children get Roman chariot with handle for harness,
a stove for a cup of coffee or a hot permission from their parents In any event,a baby carriage was good
lunch My pre-readers could play with beforehand,and my husband would pile for about four weeks of fun, Racing
blocks and toys on the kitchen floor the children in the back of the pick-up, madly up and down the camp road, the
away from the teaching area. I felt like and we'd take them to the Sound beach children would take turns pulling,
a queen. . , almost! There were a at noon. Several times we had a big pushing, or riding, the tiniest tots
couple of weak areas in the floor over watermelon for them. They simply screaming and running alongside to be
which I kept some vacant desks, so as delighted in tucking up their skirts and part of the fun.
not to slip through a break a leg. rolling up their pants and wading in the As the weather got colder, the
However, the day I closed school that water. They would squeal and scream children wouldn't be on hand to greet
first year, l took care of this by stamp- and talk about it. Some got a little too me in the morning. I would have to ring
ing my heels down hard in these spots. wet by accident, but they always stayed the hand bell longer and maybe
Thus the floor was repaired without within the bounds set. They clunbed on repeatedly. It was warmer in bed until
the futile process of going through the very large rocks, skipped and threw the schoolroom was opened. Their
"channels.'' stones,or climbed the steep sandy cliff parents had long since left for the fields.
One other time I recall solving a and ran screaming down. They darted Breakfast was a casual affair of
problem in much the same manner from one delight to another as it was anything from leftover fish between
because, until Mr. Dart was school discovered, There was always slices of bread,to coke and candy.They
principal, there was just no effective something new to them on the beach: may have eaten better earlier,
channel to go through. After requests the shell of a horseshoe crab, unusual The old space heater had moved to
were ignored beyond a reasonable seaweed,a beautiful stone,orange and this second classroom with us, and 1
92
Summer August 1, 1989 LONG ISLAND FORUM
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Ten dinosaurs hKOK0110
10 to 5 daily The original Mechanical Creator
Adult $4, Child $2, Senior $2 (Includes parking)
Reserved tickets required for weekends (service charge ad(jed)
516-9 - MO
SANDS POW PRESERVE
LIE, exit 36, 5earingtown Road north
6,7 miles straight to preserve gate, north of Port Washington
Nassau County Parks& Museums,Thomas S Culotta, Nassau County Executive
93
LONG ISLAND FORUM Summer August 1, 1989
realized it had possibilities for a of low cupboards that could be padlock- The new school on the main road had
secondary use, particularly baking ed during spring and summer, thereby four classrooms, an auditorium/cafe-
potatoes. I brought my top-of-the-stove saving me many trips. My maddening teria with kitchen, a supply room and
oven to put on the heater, and every old desks were replaced, the newly principal's office. Mr. Alfred E. Dart
morning in cold weather the children inherited ones having the seat attached was hired as principal and seventh and
each brought a large sweet or white to its own desk, Teh cellar of the old eighth grade teacher. He was responsi-
potato. At noon when it was baked school was the repository of all the ble for many improvements in my
they'd take it home, or sit on the steps books too old or unsightly to be used school, My children now began to have
in the sun to eat it. They always called in the new school. I was told to take "school milk"at 4C a day,an improve-
the white potatoes "ice" potatoes and what I wanted. I salvaged an incomplete ment over the previous coke diet. Much
it puzzled me. Though I learned to set of 1923 World Book Encyclopedia more money was spent on us,giving us
understand their slurred southern accent (later to help salvage a mixed-up boy), an adequate supply of textbooks,
and odd expressions, it was many years an assortment of abandoned textbooks workbooks, library books,art and other
before one bright child said she thought with pictures,and oodles and oodles of supplies. Each November I now made
"ice"potatoes was Irish potatoes. And sadly wom but much needed children's out a requisition list,anticipating as best
then of course I could hear it: "ice" library shelf books. I could what my needs might be the
was "Irish." They were so careless We also acquired a complete following year. The children's library
about enunciating the consonants! As linoleum job.On one of my scavenging was growing steadily.
my classes got smaller when migrant trips I saw the wreckers carefully Each year we had a few extracur-
families left, we would put other things removing the wide strips of very thick ricular activities, the type depending on
in the oven: a pan of canned baked brown linoleum of a bygone era. I asked the children I had. About 1955 when
beans,or some already baked macaroni the school trustees if I couldn't please Mr. Dart was principal we cooked a
and cheese to heat. Everyone would have it on my floor at camp. I think the chicken dinner. When he later learned
bring his own dish or cup to eat from, wrecker paid the school district the sum about the dinner, he repaid me and
and we'd have an air of picknicking, of one dollar for the building, but he budgeted it as a home economics
Then school would he over for the now charged the district$20 for enough lesson. l had two very capable older
season, the children gone,and 1 would of the linoleum to cover my floor. It girls who told me how to cook southern
make several trips with the car full of was put down for me over a weekend fried chicken. With all this talent and
books and supplies to be returned to the and I was delighted with it, and loved a stove at hand, why not a chicken
other school. My son Bill remembers the School Board. Not until you have dinner?I brought all the fixings which
helping the when I was in the first "kept house"on a bare rough wooden included enough pieces of disjointed
classroom. floor with big cracks and the incessant chicken, their favorite sweet potatoes,
The school seemed to develop by grit, the noisy foot scuffings and desk canned peas, my watermelon pickle,
plateaus and in 1955 we took another scrapings,can you appreciate the joy of with apples and cookies for dessert.The
leap forward. The three-room wooden a smooth easily cleaned floor over girls cooked the chicken all alone, first
school building on the Main Road was which the desks glide for sweeping.The rubbing salt and pepper into it, then
abandoned and a low modern brick children too were pleased. When their carefully and fully coating it with a
building replaced it farther to the east. feet were bare it must have been a layer of flour. They were cooking this
The old building was to be torn down welcome change from the gritty wooden in lots of shortening in two large fry-
and it was as dear to me for scaveng- floors they had at home. Both boys and ing pans when the bottled gas gave out.
ing as the nearby dump was to my girls liked to sweep the floor. Sand was This was a major catastrophe so I
migrant children. I acquired a long row a constant intruder, phoned the camp office and explained
�w a
Suffolk County
Historical Society
MUSEUM &
MAIN lTRLLT
Nlsforic YapbanA 924-4445 RESEARCH LIBRARY
cr ruurr . esma, D"k, o d, Yewl WEATHERVANE GIFT,SHOP
DIMMA 51AVED DALLY
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Personally A I�ndly d� 300 W� MAIN ST RIVEWAF AD
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727.2891
Your Hosts.- Jean Olsen&George Olsen.
94
Surruner August I, 1999 LONG ISLAND FORUM
the problem, hoping to finish cooking removing, scraping, sanding and apply- money. He was taken to jail and I
the chicken on the stove behind the ing the coats of finish. They also believe was to serve several years. The
office. Mr. Murphy more than rose to reconditioned a chair which was found mystery of the missing money kept my
the occasion. He wheeled a tank of at the dump. The boys really went to class and other migrants combing that
bottled gas from the office stove and work with vim and vigor, probably at woods for several weeks. There were
connected it to ours. Our delicious first to please me, but in the end with rumors for days as to what happened to
dinner was saved and only slightly real pride in their accomplishment. the money but it was never reported as
delayed. Maybe they learned to be less destruc- found.
We placed our desks in congenial and tive and careless of furniture in general While on the subject of crime: it was
table-like positions. Everyone washed even though they were skeptical of my in this second classroom that I had to
and we set our places with paper plates tales of how much old furniture might take the phone home at night—at least
and napkins,my silver from home,and be worth. until I acquired the low lockable cup-
a box of milk. Some child always knew There were several irrelevant boards. Apparently during the summer
a lovely prayer for occasions like this. incidents that happened while the school someone found a way to get in and was
So with impeccable decorum and occupied this room. Just as school was having long conversations with relatives
friendly chatting out dinner was a about to begin one morning, the and friends back home. I did feel silly
success, the cooks beaming at our children got all in a dither about a man walking out at night with a cord-
praise. running through the camp and being wrapped phone in one arm,school work
Another activity of an unusual kind, chased by other men. In piecing the in the other,
was having two big boys refinish a story together it seems the man stabhed On rainy days no one went to the
small table. I needed something to a crew leader who had been able to cry fields.It was on such a day that a knock
occupy their free time,and they needed out. He then grabbed the crew leader's came on my door and I was asked to
a rewarding activity. Having refinish- pay roll and ran through the camp and clarify a disputed Bible quotation.
ed furniture myself and knowing it was the woods to the top of the hill, follow- About six or eight young men were Nav-
a skill they might sometime put to use, ed by those who had heard the cries. ing a serious and involved discussion in
1 taught them each of the steps: paint There he was caught, but without the the room next to the kitchen. That year
alit;
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95
LONG ISLAND FORUM Summer August 1, 1989
on it. You just be thinking how you
want things."Then in early 1957 things
began to happen. Mr. Stelzer's efforts
had brought about the passage of a bill
by the Slate Legislature making it legal
t for school districts whose farmers
secured labor from
a Cooperative
AMA
ri ; �y " � Migrant labor Camp, to voluntarily
contribute up to $300 a year for five
years, for the purpose of building a
school for migrant children residing in
the camp. The bill was written
specifically for the East Cutchogue
camp.
Passage of this bill was only the first
hurdle. The next step was to get the
school districts to vote the money. Mr.
Stelzer called a meeting of school
trustees from each Southold Town
Helen W Prince Coualion school district. He described the need
The 1952 Watermelon Picnic at the Long Island Sound for better facilities, He pointed out that
with the second classroom school children. those districts using Cooperative labor
should also help finance a school for the
it was often the Bible being discussed storytime on rainy days and sit as one migrant children;that without the labor
next door. ,mother year there were crap of the class, They often brought news camp, farmers would have to house
games. Another year a jealous husband, of other former students and I was their migrants in the various school
Each year brought different neighbors always delighted to see them. districts. The whole idea was favorably
beyond the kitchen wall. received by the trustees, and financial
The school had now been there My Third Classroom help promised by all but one district.
enough years that some of my "work- We had occupied the second It was now that I found out what Mr.
ing paper graduates"were coming back classroom for five years, 1952 through Stelzer meant when he said, ". . .be
on rainy days to see roe. They might 1956. During this time Mr. Stelzer thinking how you want things." The
just stop in to say hello and ask how I would often say to me, "We're going Cooperative had bought a 20' by 120'
was, or they might come regularly at to get a better classroom. I'm working barracks from I.M. Young in order to
remodel it into a school and child care
Celebrating our 29th Anniversary center. Mr. Stelzer showed me inside
the barracks which had one partition,
Open July to August 2 5 PM — Tues., r}1ur5., Sun, an enormous cook stove, high windows
SOUTHOLD HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM and a few doors. He wanted a large
in Southold Village, Main Road and Maple Lane classroom of 50'at one end, the Child
Care Center's room at the other. There
Founded by Ann Hallock Currie-Bell in her c 1900 house Followed by an 18th c, bam were to be bathrooms, a kitchen, and
from Pine Neck Since 1969,the pre 1652"Thomas Moore homestead was acquired,which
is now restored and furnished from our 164W 1830 collections Seven other out-buildings sleeping quarters for the nurses in the
have been added to the grounds Carriaye f louse,Blacksmith Shop,Two retail shops:The center. I was excited and pleased for he
Treasure Exchange and the Cupboard Shop are open asked me to plan where they were to go.
Tours: Sun., Tues, and Thurs. — 2-5 p.m, 1 worked out the approximate room
HORTON'S POINT LIGHTHOUSE MARINE MUSEUM (1858) sizes and where they should be, then
Lighthouse Road at the Sound had to adjust my plans to tit the studs
Marine artifacts, early photographs, marine painters. and windows of the barracks. The next
Prellwitz. Jacobson., Wiles, Smilis and Beal- Sunday after Friends Meeting, when
A fireproof facility for the Southold Village Complex is planned for the near future. Edwin Prellwitz saw me armed with a
It will not only provide exhibition space, but also office, storage,library and laboratory yardstick and found out why, he offered
GEORGE D WAGONER, Director to help. So off we went, Edwin with his
Groups by Appointment metal tape, I with my yardstick. We
were in for a shock. The barracks was
Museum: 765 5500 Treasure Exchange. 765. .. only 100 feet long and not the 120 feet
96
Summer August 1, 1989 LONG ISLAND FORUM
as thought, (I.M. Young refunded
an appropriate amount for this
discrepancy.) It was sickeningly
obvious that the rooms would have to
be made smaller. Undaunted, Edwin
took my roughly drawn plans, his
carefully recorded measurements, and
ow
said he'd work it out. �
In just a few days he really had
"worked it out" and brought me four
beautiful blueprints. The classroom and
child care room were smaller than
hoped by 8 to 10 feet each. The child
care nurses'bedroom and ofticelstorage
rooms along the front were barely
adequate. But their bathroom along the
back wall and next to the children's
lavatories, had bowl, basin and the �l' °,
luxury of a shower, wash tub and
washing machine.
The child care room with its cheery lWen w Pim,c Cullmnon
pink and white floor tiles was furnish- Children rode to the beach at noon recess in the Long Island Produce pickup.
ed by the State Department of Social This was in 1952 and Fred Prince supplied the watermelon.
Welfare with low screens, bassinets,
small stackable cots, play kitchen, about the blacks. This made me feel big boys kept putting chalk on his face
table, an easel, blocks, other toys and terrible, and I was desperate to prove with a chalk eraser and keeping it there,.
books. that many whites did care. It had to be He wouldn't talk about it, but from one
The building, no longer a barracks, more than a denial on my part. Then I or two remarks by other children, my
was now faced with clapboards; the 24 remembered the Underground Railroad fears were confirmed. He wanted
enlarged windows opened top and and my incomplete set of hand-me- desperately to be white.
bottom and had Venetian blinds. All down World Books. Prayers for some
floors had vinyl tiles;the classroom had kind of written proof were answered. •" '` "° ""•"'"°"•"•""'" •"""`" "'••" "
a large locker,book cupboards and coat A volume was there telling how slaves BELLPOT•BROOHAVEN
hooks at the back, blackboards in front escaped to the north by being hidden, HISTORICAL SOCIETY
and cork panels between the windows. fed and secretly moved from one MUSEUM COMPLEX
In sununer it doubled as a recreation "stalion" to another by many very 1 31 Bellport Lane ® Bellport, 7.Y.
room, The building exceeded my caring whites and blacks. All the ]
expectations and was a proud achieve- children listened with great interest to Reopens SATURDAY, MAY 27
men( for the Cooperative. Mr. Ward my description of ways they were hid- ] Thereafter open
should have visited the school now. den, the ruses employed, and the TUES., T11URS. 8t SAT,
As I never had more than 16 children dangers and risks to all. Next morning from 1:00 to 4:30 p
in this classroom,a great deal more was everyone saluted the flag. ] BARN MUSEUM containing two
accomplished scholastically. I used the Sometimes after morning exercises ] floors of local artifacts in-
Jastak achievement test to place we would make a newspaper. The cluding decoys, toys, lighting
children quickly at their proper reading children would gather round me at a ®use' tools. POST cR0 e33t,
level.We started each day with the flag table and I would print their dictated BLACKSMITH shoe, MILK
salute and the Lord's Prayer. newsy sentences on large lined ] HOUSMFMOf, nLRALPH n®�pl g N'
Sometimes a child would ask to recite newsprint paper. Dated and titledi display of Early American
a few Bible verses. We always ended Newspluy, it was proudly posted on the Decoration,and HERB GARDEN.
with singing hymns and other songs wall with each child's name after his ADULTS; $1,00 CHILDREN,: 30C
which the children chose. sentence. Copied, it was a writing
MUSEUM EXCHANGE 5HOP
There was a problem with flag salute lesson.
Open Wed.. Thurs.. Fri.. Sat, �
one year. One of the older boys never For most of the children, I was the ] from t t am to s p
saluted. It went on for awhile until one first white teacher they had ever had. Por information call Curator:
day I asked him why. He said it wasn't I guess this was the cause of something ; (,t ) 64
his country, that the whites didn't care else very upsetting and sad. One of the �• »• •••• ** • • ••••»•
9..7
LONG ISLAND FORUM Summer August 1, 1989
I remember an older boy, not yet a him into all sorts of trouble and crazy was nearly in a coma. Both Dr.
good reader, who kept poring over a predicaments. They listened spellbound Robohm and his wife Dr. Bauer worked
real old geography book that divided the and came back to the present with a sort over him. After awile they told me he
United States into regions. Each of sigh. Books for the older children would recover but would have to be
region's resources and industries were were often "continued" for several taken to the hospital. I went back to
described and illustrated; factory days. The children were not the only school very shaken but very very
interiors, mining, logging, ranching, ones enjoying the stories. On several thankful to have reached the town nurse
plantations, groves, vast wheat fields occasions I became aware of one or two and then the doctor's office in time to
and the like. When asked what mothers standing beside the window avoid a tragedy. He was hospitalized for
fascinated him so,he said he wanted to listening, then slowly walking away several days, and fussed over when he
know how the world worked. Aker that when the story ended. came back. I explained to his parents
I brought him other relevant books from We sometimes went for walks, their that his allergy could he fatal the next
the public library, but that one with its favorite destination being the nearby time unless he received immediate
pictures remained his favorite. dump. They found all sorts of attention.
There were unfortunate children interesting treasures every time. In For an art lesson once, we made
without hope for any kind of future. early September each year I always shadow profiles of each child on white
One hauntingly beautiful young girl went outside and organized games with paper, cut them out and mounted them
nags my Labor Camp memories. She them. We now had a basketball and on black paper. We did another
was quiet, totally withdrawn from her hoop. My bigger boys used it silhouette project another year.Several
surroundings and rarely spoke. Maybe constantly, and I let them keep it out- of the older children performed an
I should have sought help for her. I side under the building. I think all the hilarious "operation"on another child.
think and wonder about her life. young men in camp had pickup games We rigged a bright light behind the
Another unfortunate child was very in the evenings. doctor and nurses. Then a white sheet
retarded and very disruptive. She swept One September one of the boys came was strung in front of the patient lying
through the room like a cyclone, throw- in from lunch with a swollen lip where on the table.The actors quickly realized
ing everything around. I had to assign he had been stung by a wasp or yellow that every move must be silhouetted on
other children to take turns tending her jacket while eating a very ripe peach, the sheet. With great aplomb they went
until she could be tested and properly At the time I didn't know how serious through the motions of giving ether and
placed. this could be for some people. My cutting the patient open. He'd sit up and
The rows of tattered library books ignorance almost cost this boy his life, wave his arms occasionally and get
brought from the other school saw I asked the child care nurses to let him pushed back down. The doctor pulled
constant use. I read to them 20 or 30 lie down in their end of the building. all kinds of things out of his body: a
minutes at the end of the day; stories They soon came to me saying I rope, chain, kitchen utensils, anything
for the little ones first, so they could be shouldn't leave him there as he was all at hand. Each item was carefully held
dismissed. But old or young, the broken out and probably had something up and discussed with impromptu and
Nicodemus books by Inez Hogan were contagious. Still not too alarmed, I imaginative remarks. Then came the
a daily must. Nicodemus was a little phoned the town nurse just as she was action of sewing him up. All this time
black boy who talked like them and leaving her office. She told me to leave the children in the audience went wild
lived their kind of unstructured life. He all the students and take him with each new finding. The operation
was a good tittle boy but in many of the immediately and quickly to I)r. was re-enacted several times with
stories, his baby sister unwittingly got Robohm's office. Upon arrival the child different casts and innovative
variations.
The Child Care Center now stayed
open into September, but after its
f�f closing we had the use of the kitchen
and could do more exciting things. We
MONTAUK HIGHWAY&HIG&E LANE 6 i baked a cake one time and had another
WEST ISLIP, N Y chicken dinner with "fixin's" as
TEL.6®9-0165 ��
�� ul� . before. Each child had a one-fourth
chicken, paid for by the school district
SERVING LUNCHEON & DINNER in the natne of home economics. When
the weather got cold, the children again
One of Long Island's Oldest baked "ice" and sweet potatoes on the
RESTAURANTS OF DISTINCTION heater. We had a school record player
and my son Bill loaned us some of his
Closed Tuesdays rock-and-roll records, or I would take
my little radio. Then at recess or noon
98
Summer August 1, 1999 1 ONG ISI.AND FORUM
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The 1957 Floor Plan For the third schoolroom and Child Care Center,
the children would solo dance, some and shoes for several children who Simon who was not interested in
dropping out and others starting. There stayed north too long, That once we continuing the next year.Student enroll-
was physical telepathy between them went to an assembly and then to the ment had been dropping as machines
and the music for they were the embodi_ cafeteria in Southold, another time to were rapidly replacing the work of the
ment of rhythm and grace. My son a Thanksgiving feast in the East migrant laborer- The few children who
Barry, horn in 1950, came to spend the. Cutchogue cafeteria; That once, only now came each year were sent in the
afternoon about once a year, and the once, the day's milk money was lakes; fall to the new and larger Gast
children loved it. They were good little That several times a child or children Cutchogue School. Full circle.
hosts and hostesses, entertaining him somehow got in the back door at night
while I went on with my teaching. He to play in the classroom,nothing harm- Mrs. Prince can best be described as
loved it too, all the attention and fuss- ed; That our second classroom burned a family historian. Among her published
ing over him. A couple of years when to the ground in 1961, four men works are °'7he Descendants of(°apt.
I had big responsible boys, we set up perishing in the fire, one because he John Prince of Southold, N.Y. aril
my son's electric trains, frantically rushed back inside to retrieve 77reir Pkice in Iocal History, and
his 'brand,,new shoes; That I have 'r772ce Diary of Ezra S. Prince, a
i have recounted some the things wonderful memories of happy times Southold Farm Bov, 18764890. " A
ye ars, not the daily class studies and the Interest that occurred over
r a span of with the children, ntixed with apprehen- retired teacher, she does volunteer work
ye Sion for what their futures held. at the museums in Southold and
difficulty of covering subject matter for In 1961, with Bill entering college, friverirerul.
so many grades and students.. Some In
took a full-time teaching position. The
years I took a kitchen minute-minder to labor camp school continued for only
school to help budget my time
one more year, taught by Mrs. Meryl ,,,
equitably. It was impossible to hurry the
P... _ .
pace of the children. Alter a few weeks ]' ,, IIc
they usually had me slowed down to dos FUQT AMITYVILLE
their relaxed pace. HISTORICAL SOCIETY
EaKhtt°enth& Nineteenih Century
I haven't mentioned the following: j American h'urniture and Art LAUDER MUSEUM
That I evaded questions about my life, r 14 s`,E,, st,,,;,SeI RESFARCH LIBRARY
my house (just long and low), or "uo nshyiun, Lang I,I,rr!,N t i i'cr SALT HAY CjIF T SHUN'
all white folks live in your house"'' 016;061 .1s?
a,,�,„•is Open Sun Tr,(), & F°-,2 ,0 4
(thinking it was a barracks"); That I _I r u,
always wore simple house-dress type Appniw,rc,l s,vs'r�!ed 596-1486
clothes n homemade, That one year r"re n! u,s r re esacd I r ur rrn
K
I had to phone around to collect coals / I &orher awiyues
99
LONG ISLAND FORUM Surnmer August I, 1999
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Inside worker on the Fraser "Ashcombe" Estate, Sands Point, 1911.
100