Morris Industrial School for Indians

Morris Industrial School for Indians
Dormitory of the Morris Industrial School for Indians today on the campus of University of Minnesota Morris
Location
Map
,
Coordinates45°35′23″N 95°54′10″W / 45.58972°N 95.90278°W / 45.58972; -95.90278
Information
School typeNative American boarding school
Founded1887
StatusClosed
Closed1909
GradesKindergarten–Eighth
Enrollment100–160
NicknameMorris Indian School
Morris Industrial School for Indians Dormitory
Location600 East 4th Street, Morris, Minnesota
Coordinates45°35′20.8″N 95°54′4.7″W / 45.589111°N 95.901306°W / 45.589111; -95.901306
AreaLess than one acre
Built1899
Part ofWest Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station Historic District (ID02001707)
NRHP reference No.84001696[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 10, 1984
Designated CPJanuary 15, 2003

The Morris Industrial School for Indians (1887–1909) was a Native American boarding school in Morris, Minnesota, United States. The school was founded and run by Roman Catholic nuns of the Sisters of Mercy order from 1887 until 1896. After that, the school was run by the Office of Indian Affairs of the United States Federal Government from 1898 until 1909.[2]

When the government took over operation of the school in 1898, they instituted a "progressive education," including music programs, a literary society, and a baseball team. In 1910, the school was transferred to the state. It was adapted for use as an agricultural high school operated by the University of Minnesota system. When it was to be superseded, a grassroots effort gained establishment of a public college at this campus: the University of Minnesota Morris opened in 1960.[3]

The only building from the Morris Indian School that survives in its original location is an 1899 dormitory. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been adapted to serve as the university's Multi-Ethnic Resource Center.

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Gimmestad, Dennis (March 1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form: Morris Industrial School for Indians Dormitory". National Park Service. Retrieved 2018-03-01. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "A Unique Campus History". University of Minnesota Morris. 2016. Retrieved 2018-03-01.