Morris Industrial School for Indians, Native American boarding school in Morris, Minnesota
Morris Industrial School for Indians is a two-story brick building with a rectangular floor plan and symmetrical window placement, built in 1899. The structure now serves as the Multi-Ethnic Resource Center on the University of Minnesota Morris campus, where it continues to function for educational purposes.
The Sisters of Mercy founded this institution in 1887 as part of a broader effort to educate Native American youth according to mainstream standards. It closed in 1909 when federal policies shifted focus to reservation-based educational programs.
The school brought together Native American students from many tribes in a single place to learn trades and classroom subjects under strict rules. English was the only language allowed, shaping how students interacted and communicated daily.
The building is located on the University of Minnesota Morris campus, which is open to the public for walking and exploration. Plan your visit during daylight hours to appreciate the architecture and read any interpretive materials posted near the structure.
In its final years, the school fielded a strong baseball team that competed against regional high schools and won several games. This sporting achievement stood out as a notable activity within an institution otherwise focused on trades and classroom learning.
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