Cambridge History Minute: Fire Training, 1880s-Style

CAMBRIDGE, MA — In this week's Cambridge History Minute, it seemed only fitting to pay tribute to the city's firefighters, going all the way back to the 1880s.

That's when the Cambridge Manual Technical School was first established, with the goal of teaching boys to work with their hands. This included woodworking, drafting and, yes, firefighting, as seen in this turn-of-the-century photo, courtesy the Cambridge Historical Society.

It later became the Rindge Technical School, after its founding donor, Frederick H. Rindge.

Rindge's vision, the Historical Society writes, was that "the plain arts of industry to be taught…for boys of average talents, who may in it learn how their arms and hands can earn food, clothing, and shelter…”

The Rindge Manual Training School merged with the Cambridge High and Latin School in 1997, and continues today as a part of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

Every few weeks, Patch is featuring images from the Cambridge Historical Society and other sources, giving you a glimpse into the city's past. Send your historic family photos or images of city life to alison.bauter@patch.com for a chance to be featured on Cambridge Patch.