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From our Research
Files: Spotlight on Froebel School
Staff at the Indiana Historical Bureau have been busy working on an
historical marker to commemorate Froebel School in Gary, Indiana. Located in
the heart of Gary’s immigrant community, Froebel opened in September 1912 and
was regarded as the great “melting pot” of the city, welcoming students of many
diverse backgrounds. At a time when most African-American students were forced
to attend separate schools in the city, Froebel stood out as one of Gary’s earliest
“integrated” schools. Despite “integration,” however, the K-12 school remained
internally segregated. Black students at Froebel were often placed in separate
classes from whites. They were welcomed on athletic teams, but were barred from
the band, discriminated against in other extracurricular activities, and could
not even use the swimming pool on the same days as white students.
In September 1945, Froebel made national headlines when it was the
scene of a prolonged series of “hate strikes” in which several hundred white
students boycotted classes to protest the presence of black students at the
school. The strikes drew attention to the racial tension present in Gary and
other northern cities in the post-World War II period. Striking students urged
that Froebel be reserved for whites only, but the Gary School Board held firm
and rejected their demands. Students finally returned to their classes for good
on November 12, but racial tension continued. Due in large part to the “hate
strikes” at Froebel, the Gary Board of Education adopted a policy on August 27,
1946 to end segregation and discrimination in the city’s public schools. Three
years later, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law to abolish segregation
in the state’s public schools.
 Don't Miss Mary Bateman Clark, Woman of Colour and Courage
On Feb. 21, WTIU will become the first PBS station to broadcast the recently-completed documentary, Mary Bateman Clark, A Woman of Colour and Courage. The documentary is the story of Mary Bateman Clark, an African American woman living in Knox County, Ind., who in 1821 successfully sued to be freed from an indentured servitude contract. View the trailer and learn more about the documentary, click here.
See it first!
IHB is co-sponsoring a preview of Mary Bateman Clark, A Woman of Colour and Courage! The viewing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Feb. 17 at Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana.
Don't get WTIU?
PBS stations throughout Indiana and beyond will televise this documentary beginning March 1. Check your local listings.
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