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- Victor Talking Machine Company Sales Catalog, "The Victrola in Americanization," 1920 - The Victor Talking Machine Company, founded by Eldridge R. Johnson in 1901 was a leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph recordings. In 1911, Victor established an educational department headed by Mrs. Frances Elliot Clark with the goal to develop early music appreciation. This educational catalog explained how Victor's Victrola phonographs could help recent immigrants assimilate into American society.
- 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Victor Talking Machine Company Sales Catalog, "The Victrola in Americanization," 1920
The Victor Talking Machine Company, founded by Eldridge R. Johnson in 1901 was a leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph recordings. In 1911, Victor established an educational department headed by Mrs. Frances Elliot Clark with the goal to develop early music appreciation. This educational catalog explained how Victor's Victrola phonographs could help recent immigrants assimilate into American society.
- Ford Times, April 1916 - First printed in 1908, <em>Ford Times</em> was published by Ford Motor Company and distributed to readers free of charge. Early issues targeted Ford dealers, but editors later broadened the magazine's content to appeal to Ford owners and potential buyers. This April 1916 issue included an article on Ford's English School, which provided English-language instruction to the company's immigrant employees.
- April 01, 1916
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Times, April 1916
First printed in 1908, Ford Times was published by Ford Motor Company and distributed to readers free of charge. Early issues targeted Ford dealers, but editors later broadened the magazine's content to appeal to Ford owners and potential buyers. This April 1916 issue included an article on Ford's English School, which provided English-language instruction to the company's immigrant employees.
- Ford English School Diploma, 1914-1915 - In 1914, Ford Motor was hiring workers in droves. Many were immigrants who could not read or write English and were unable to carry out instructions. Henry Ford organized classes in English. These lessons also included instruction in United States naturalization requirements which led over 6,000 Ford employees to obtain diplomas accepted by U.S. emigration officials resulting in eventual citizenship.
- 1914-1915
- Collections - Artifact
Ford English School Diploma, 1914-1915
In 1914, Ford Motor was hiring workers in droves. Many were immigrants who could not read or write English and were unable to carry out instructions. Henry Ford organized classes in English. These lessons also included instruction in United States naturalization requirements which led over 6,000 Ford employees to obtain diplomas accepted by U.S. emigration officials resulting in eventual citizenship.
- "How to Take Out Your First Papers: An Easy Book in Plain English for the Coming Citizen," circa 1923 - In the early 20th century, mass immigration posed the challenge of integrating, or assimilating, immigrants into American society. Anglo-Americans believed that Americanization was the first step towards assimilation into a greater nation. This pamphlet is an example of a private agency that established an Americanization program to help immigrants learn American values and ultimately gain United States citizenship.
- circa 1923
- Collections - Artifact
"How to Take Out Your First Papers: An Easy Book in Plain English for the Coming Citizen," circa 1923
In the early 20th century, mass immigration posed the challenge of integrating, or assimilating, immigrants into American society. Anglo-Americans believed that Americanization was the first step towards assimilation into a greater nation. This pamphlet is an example of a private agency that established an Americanization program to help immigrants learn American values and ultimately gain United States citizenship.
- Ford Motor Company Employees in an English Language Class, Highland Park Plant, 1915 - Founded in 1914, the Ford English School taught foreign-born Ford Motor Company employees to read, write and speak English. The instructors were foremen, clerks and workmen from the Highland Park plant who volunteered their time to teach their co-workers. The school began with 20 students and one instructor, and it grew to more than 2,200 students and nearly 150 instructors by 1916.
- 1915
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Motor Company Employees in an English Language Class, Highland Park Plant, 1915
Founded in 1914, the Ford English School taught foreign-born Ford Motor Company employees to read, write and speak English. The instructors were foremen, clerks and workmen from the Highland Park plant who volunteered their time to teach their co-workers. The school began with 20 students and one instructor, and it grew to more than 2,200 students and nearly 150 instructors by 1916.
- "Are You a True American?," circa 1923 - Metropolitan Life Insurance Company was a private agency that set up Americanization programs. Anglo-Americans utilized these programs to assimilate immigrants into "true Americans" preserving the integrity of their perceived concept of America. Pamphlets like the one pictured here, were passed out to immigrants and provided information on citizenship and American values.
- circa 1923
- Collections - Artifact
"Are You a True American?," circa 1923
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company was a private agency that set up Americanization programs. Anglo-Americans utilized these programs to assimilate immigrants into "true Americans" preserving the integrity of their perceived concept of America. Pamphlets like the one pictured here, were passed out to immigrants and provided information on citizenship and American values.
- Etching Proof from a Thomas Nast Drawing, "Our Liberty Pole May-Day," 1892 -
- 1892
- Collections - Artifact
Etching Proof from a Thomas Nast Drawing, "Our Liberty Pole May-Day," 1892
- Graduating Class of the Ford English School, February 1916 - Founded in 1914, the Ford English School taught foreign-born Ford Motor Company employees to read, write and speak English. The instructors were foremen, clerks and workmen from the Highland Park plant who volunteered their time to teach their co-workers. The school began with 20 students and one instructor, and it grew to more than 2,200 students and nearly 150 instructors by 1916.
- February 27, 1916
- Collections - Artifact
Graduating Class of the Ford English School, February 1916
Founded in 1914, the Ford English School taught foreign-born Ford Motor Company employees to read, write and speak English. The instructors were foremen, clerks and workmen from the Highland Park plant who volunteered their time to teach their co-workers. The school began with 20 students and one instructor, and it grew to more than 2,200 students and nearly 150 instructors by 1916.
- Ford English School Diploma for Mike Pachulski, July 4, 1917 - This is a photograph of a diploma awarded by the Ford English School. The school was established by the company in 1914 in order to address the problem of non-English speaking workers and the safety hazards they posed. Immigrants could use a Ford English School diploma to meet many of the requirements prior to the final citizenship exam.
- July 04, 1917
- Collections - Artifact
Ford English School Diploma for Mike Pachulski, July 4, 1917
This is a photograph of a diploma awarded by the Ford English School. The school was established by the company in 1914 in order to address the problem of non-English speaking workers and the safety hazards they posed. Immigrants could use a Ford English School diploma to meet many of the requirements prior to the final citizenship exam.
- Letter from a Ford English School Student to Henry Ford, September 28, 1916 -
- September 28, 1916
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from a Ford English School Student to Henry Ford, September 28, 1916