Stewart Indian School | |
 Stewart Indian School campus | |
   | |
| Location | South of Carson City off US 395, Carson City, Nevada |
|---|---|
| Area | 109 acres (44 ha) |
| Built | December 17, 1890 |
| Built by | Dept. of Interior Constr. Div. |
| Architect | Frederick Snyder |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Website | stewartindianschool |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002432[1] |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1985[1] |
The Stewart Indian School (1890–1980) was an American Indian boarding school southeast of Carson City, Nevada. Today, it is the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum.[2]
The school's 110-acre campus still holds 65 original buildings.[2] The buildings are noted for the masonry work of colored local stone used by student apprentices to build the vernacular-style buildings. The school, part of the Native American boarding schools project, was the only off-reservation boarding school in Nevada. Funding for the school was obtained by Nevada's first senator, William M. Stewart,[3] and it was named in his honor when it opened on December 17, 1890. It has also been known as Stewart Institute, Carson Industrial School, and Carson Indian School.
Native American children from Nevada and later throughout the West were forced to attend the Stewart Institute up to secondary school age. The initial intent of the school was to eliminate Indian language and culture from the children, to provide them with trade skills, and to make them fully American. Students during the early years were harshly disciplined and acted as unpaid labor to maintain the institution. The school struggled and some superintendents lasted less than a year. In 1919, Frederick Snyder was put in charge and he turned the floundering school into an architectural and horticultural showplace. The children were prohibited until about 1934 by assimilation policies from using their native language and culture.[3]
After the Indian Reorganization Act, Alida Cynthia Bowler became Director of Carson Indian School and Reservations. She defended the Indian's interests against the federal governments ongoing desire to usurp their ownership of land and supported retention of Indian culture among the students.
In 1980, the federal government cut funding for Indian boarding schools and closed the campus. During its 90 years, about 30,000 students are believed to have attended the school.