What does it mean that Davidson was founded as a “manual labor” school?
Davidson College opened in 1837 to approximately 63 students as a manual labor institute. The manual labor system was instituted as a way to both reduce educational expenses for students and to allow opportunities for personal growth and work experience. Students were required to perform agricultural or mechanical labor for the college for up to three hours a day. Types of work included blacksmithing, carpentry and farming. In return for their labor, students received a reduction in tuition. However, the manual labor system was not as successful as hoped. The endeavor was not financially sustainable and in 1841 the Board of Trustees voted to end the program.
For more information about the manual labor system, please explore these resources:
- Manual Labor Encyclopedia Entry
-
Transcribed Presbytery of Concord Minutes, 1835-1843
- Special Collections: 19th Century Primary Sources Research Guide: Includes digitized resources, such as 19th century trustee and faculty meeting minutes.
- Pinckney Brown Chambers (December 9, 1837 Letter)
- Stewards Encyclopedia Entry
- Around the D Blog Post: “The Farm at Davidson: Now and Then”