Figure 1.-- The dormitory photo is somewhat blurred and slightly out of focus, probably because it was taken indoors by an amateur, probably one of the masters or older boys. The morning sun is shining through the window and creating reflection problems. Note that the boy sitting on the bed wears suspenders with his short trousers--a common practice in 1920s Germany. The boy's suspenders are down because he is apparently putting on his shoes and has not yet put on his shirt. He is still in his undershirt.

We note boys at an unidentifiefd orphanage in 1929. In one photograph they are studying toether. The boys are studying around a table. They probably went to the local state school. We know that it was a boarding facility because of the image here showing the boys in their dormitory. The facility looks Spartan, but the clean sheets and brand new beds shows that the boys were being properly looked after. We do know the date, 1929, but not the location. While the facility is unidentified, we believe it is an orphanage and not a boarding school. There are several reasons for this. The boys do not wear uniforms. This was not common in German schools or orphanages. The oldest boy (about 12 or 13 years old) in the first photograph wears a sailor suit. All the boys wear short trousers with long stockings. They are obviously a dark color, but we are unsure about the color. The boys' clothes seem quite typical for Germany in 1929.

Unidentified Facility

We note boys at an unidentifiefd orphanage in 1929. In one photograph they are studying toether.

Studying

The boys are studying around a table. They probably went to the local state school. The boys are probably doing their homework here. This suggests that the institution was an orphanage and not a school. If it was a school, they would have used a classrom with desks for their work. Seated so close together like this is not a good way for boys to do their school work.

Boarding

We know that it was a boarding facility because of the image here showing the boys in their dormitory. The facility looks Spartan, but the clean sheets and brand new beds shows that the were being properrly looked after. The facilities look better than dormitories we have seen at British boarding schools.

Chronology and Location

We do know the date, 1929, but not the location as to just where in Germany the facility was located.

Institutional Assessment

While the facility is unidentified, we believe it is an orphanage and not a boarding school. There are several reasons for this. First, private schools were not very common in Germany. This was in part because the state schools were so good. Second, often the private schools were for boys from affluent schools that could not meet the demands of the state system. Boys at private schools would not have worn uniforms. They would, however, dressed smarter (more fashionably) than the boys here. These boys are well outfitted, but not smartly dressed. Third, we do not notice the boys in a classrrom, but rather in the boarding facilities that an orphanage would have had. Fourth, the boys are pictured doing kitchen chores. This would not have occured at a private school.

Clothing

The boys do not wear uniforms. This was not common in German schools or orphanages. The oldest boy (about 12 or 13 years old) in the first photograph wears a sailor suit. All the boys wear short trousers with long stockings. They are obviously a dark color, but we are unsure about the color. We know that this was a boarding facility because we have the photograph here showing the boys in their dormitory getting dressed (figure 1). The boys' clothes seem quite typical for Germany in 1929.

Created: 1:36 AM 6/1/2008
Last updated: 5:45 PM 6/1/2008