Description: Photograph of a Queen Mary replica from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The Queen Mary, of the once Cunard-White Star line, a British company, is a retired ocean linear that sailed the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. In 1936, the Queen Mary held the world's record for speed in both east and west Atlantic crossings, averaging 30.63 knots an hour. The main dining room was 160 feet long and 118 wide, extending through three decks. It took 24 large boilers heated by 200 oil burners to generate steam for the turbines. Fumes from the boilers were carried off by the three funnels. During World War II, the Queen Mary, its running mate Queen Elizabeth, and Normandie were converted to be used as troopships. Queen Mary's hull, superstructure and funnels were painted navy gray in the conversion. In December 1942, she carried 16,082 American troops from New York to Great Britain. The Queen Mary still holds the standing record for the most passengers ever transported on one vessel. Before World War II, the ocean liner could accommodate 1,995 passengers with 421 cabin-class suites and rooms, 300 tourist class staterooms and 214 third-class rooms. On September 19, 1967, after 1,001 crossings of the Atlantic, Queen Mary retired. The Queen Mary now resides in Long Beach, California. Model dimensions: length 46", width 6", height 11". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_047_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Queen Mary (Steamship); Ship models
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: 3" x 4" photograph of a Monitor replica from the collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The Monitor, an iron-clad warship, is famous for its duel with the Merrimac, in the American Civil War. The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac, received worldwide publicity as the first fight between two iron-clad ships. The Monitor, an iron-clad ship of unique design, was described by people as a "cheese box on a raft." The ship had a low deck, 172 feet long and 42 feet wide, that water easily rolled over it. At its center, was a revolving circular turret, 20 feet in diameter and 9 feet high, with two powerful XI-inch Dahlgren, smooth-bore cannons that could pour fire in all directions. Neither ship was materially damaged in the battle, but a lucky shot by the Merrimac through a sight-hole blinded the commanding officer of the Monitor. The inconclusive battle ended when the Monitor withdrew, as did the Merrimac shortly after. Model dimensions: length 14.5", width 3.5", height 3.5". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_044_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Warships Models
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a model frontier town from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The typical frontier town, a fortified town of log cabins, was similar to the Roman forts built in the wooded sections of North Europe. A formidable wall around the settlement was built from sharpened wooden posts. A blockhouse, usually built in a corner of the settlement, provided storage room and as a place of last defense. The corner placement of the blockhouse, allowed access to both the inside and outside for better defense. Firing platforms could be found in the corners of the palisades. A settlement, had to have a good water supply, or could not survive. The stream in the model was probably from a spring inside the town, since streams could be polluted and diverge from their courses. Model dimensions: length 24", width 30", height 6.5". Photograph is 4.5" x 7". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_051_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Models and modelmaking
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a spinning wheel from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. A spinning wheel is a tool used to spin thread or yarn from natural or synthetic fibers. Photograph is 5" x 7". Photographs and descriptions of a few models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_068_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Models and modelmaking; Spinning-wheel
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a Queen Mary replica from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The Queen Mary, of the once Cunard-White Star line, a British company, is a retired ocean linear that sailed the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. In 1936, the Queen Mary held the world's record for speed in both east and west Atlantic crossings, averaging 30.63 knots an hour. The main dining room was 160 feet long and 118 wide, extending through three decks. It took 24 large boilers heated by 200 oil burners to generate steam for the turbines. Fumes from the boilers were carried off by the three funnels. During World War II, the Queen Mary, its running mate Queen Elizabeth, and Normandie were converted to be used as troopships. Queen Mary's hull, superstructure and funnels were painted navy gray in the conversion. In December 1942, she carried 16,082 American troops from New York to Great Britain. The Queen Mary still holds the standing record for the most passengers ever transported on one vessel. Before World War II, the ocean liner could accommodate 1,995 passengers with 421 cabin-class suites and rooms, 300 tourist class staterooms and 214 third-class rooms. On September 19, 1967, after 1,001 crossings of the Atlantic, Queen Mary retired. The Queen Mary now resides in Long Beach, California. Model dimensions: length 46", width 6", height 11". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_006_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Queen Mary (Steamship); Ship models
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a spinning wheel from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. A spinning wheel is a tool used to spin thread or yarn from natural or synthetic fibers. Photograph is 3" x 4". Photographs and descriptions of a few models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_026_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Models and modelmaking; Spinning-wheel
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a Queen Mary replica from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The Queen Mary, of the once Cunard-White Star line, a British company, is a retired ocean linear that sailed the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. In 1936, the Queen Mary held the world's record for speed in both east and west Atlantic crossings, averaging 30.63 knots an hour. The main dining room was 160 feet long and 118 wide, extending through three decks. It took 24 large boilers heated by 200 oil burners to generate steam for the turbines. Fumes from the boilers were carried off by the three funnels. During World War II, the Queen Mary, its running mate Queen Elizabeth, and Normandie were converted to be used as troopships. Queen Mary's hull, superstructure and funnels were painted navy gray in the conversion. In December 1942, she carried 16,082 American troops from New York to Great Britain. The Queen Mary still holds the standing record for the most passengers ever transported on one vessel. Before World War II, the ocean liner could accommodate 1,995 passengers with 421 cabin-class suites and rooms, 300 tourist class staterooms and 214 third-class rooms. On September 19, 1967, after 1,001 crossings of the Atlantic, Queen Mary retired. The Queen Mary now resides in Long Beach, California. Model dimensions: length 46", width 6", height 11". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_029_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Queen Mary (Steamship); Ship models
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: 3" x 4" photograph of a Merrimac replica from the collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The Merrimac, an iron-clad warship, is famous for its duel with the Monitor, in the American Civil War. The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac, received worldwide publicity as the first fight between two iron-clad ships. In the summer of 1861, Washington officials were informed that the Confederates had raised the sunken federal ship, Merrimac, from the bottom of the Elizabeth River,where it had been scuttled, and were restoring and outfitting it as an iron-clad warship. The wooden ship was cut down to its water line, then four inch thick iron plates of sloping structure were placed over the hull. An iron pilot house, barely a yard high, was built near the rear of the ship.Extending from the sides of the sloping main structure were 10 cannons. While a powerful ram of cast iron, wedge-shaped and 1,500 pounds was added to the prow. Neither ship was materially damaged in the battle, but a lucky shot by the Merrimac through a sight-hole blinded the commanding officer of the Monitor. The inconclusive battle ended when the Monitor withdrew, as did the Merrimac shortly after. Model dimensions: length 23", width 6", height 8.5". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_037_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Warships Models
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "SOME COMMON PESTS Many blind pupils had an idea that a mouse was as large as a rabbit, or a rat. To correct such errors, models of small animals were made, such as chipmunk, mouse, gopher, rat, rabbit and others." This photo is part of a series of photos of similar models to aid the blind in building mental images of objects. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F03_26_001
Subjects: Models; Rodents
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: A blind student uses touch to explore models of what farm animals look like. Reverse reads: “Domestic Animals – The four animals – the horse, cow, hog and the sheep are made in high relief but scaled down in size. Each animal is made in the proper proportion to the other. The rooster and hen are scaled together.” View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F04_20_001
Subjects: Models; Schools--Ohio; Braille; Students; Ohio State School for the Blind; Blind--Education--Ohio--Columbus; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: The Ohio State School for the Blind utilized models, like this one, to allow its students to perceive the shape of large buildings they would otherwise be unable to experience. Models of stagecoaches and covered wagons are seen being constructed in this photo. Attached document reads: In the time before railroad trains and automobiles were invented people traveled from one town to another in such a public conveyance as this coach. This particular type of coach was used as the trains are used today, a set rate was paid for every miles traveled. It was this coach that carried the early gold hunters across the great western prairies from Dodge City, Kansas, to San Francisco. These coaches all belonged to the Wells Fargo company who also owned and operated the Pony Express. One the inside of the coach six people could sit. This was considered the safest and most comfortable place to ride and was usually occupied by the women. On top, of course, was the driver who had the responsibility of the team of four or sometimes six horses. Usually there was at least one guard who rode with the driver, whose responsibility it was to see that bandits, both Indian and White did not molest the coach and its valuable cargo. The coaches were not as comfortable as they could have been. The seats were upholstered in leather, as a general rule, but the springs were made either of leather straps or very crude hand forged iron. It was difficult to turn the coach sharply or guide it very carefully since the body set on the axels and was not provided with wheel wells. These wheel wells were indentations in the body of such a cab which could have allow- ed the wheels to turn either to right or left much more freely. However, they were not to come for a considerable time as yet. So instead of having these wells, the axles were made very wide to enable the coach to turn more quickly. The passenger's belongings and freight were stowed in the little pen which is located on top of the cab. Additional freight could be fastened to a platform in the back of some of the coaches underneath the driver's seat. Of course, travel by this method was both dangerous and slow. The coach traveled only during the daytime, staying at wayside inns at night. The roads were poor, often only a patch across the plains. It was not particularly unusual to have a stage come into the town, the horses in full gallop, foam flecked and red eyed with fright. Often too they wrought the driver or guard or perhaps a passenger wounded or killed in an encounter with robbers or Indians. The passengers all went armed, as a matter of course, and often a running fight would take place with the lawless men of the plains. The days of Buffalo Bill Cody and the Wells Fargo Express were days of quick fortunes and quicker poverty, of a vast empire of gold and silver and rolling Oregon farms, a day which changed but did not entirely die with the coming of the Iron Horse. COVERED WAGON To understand the background and use of this wagon it will be necessary to go back to the days of immediately following the Revolutionary War. When General Washington dismissed his army and the war was truly over, the country was faced with a depression such as we have just witness in the last few years. This depression was caused by two things. In the first place the young country had no stable currency and the paper money which Congress issued rapidly became practically worthless. This fact added to the dumping of hundreds of soldiers backs onto the country means of supporting themselves. General Washington was actively concerned with the welfare of these men who had given so long and so loyally that the nation might be free. In the case where the men had ever owned anything in the way of homes, or farms, these had either been confiscated or ruined by the long years of neglect. What was to be done with these men and their families? After the purchase of the Louisiana Territory it was obvious that there was an enormous tract of very fertile and beautiful land waiting beyond the mountains for settlers. These settlers were not hard to find. They gathered their belongings and families and departed to new hope and a new life, after the horrors of the war, in a new home. The old soldiers remembered the wagons which had done such service in transporting ammunition during the war. They recalled that the conventional wagon of the day --- four wheels with removable bed resting on the axels --- had been converted into an ammunition conveyance by fastening hoopes of willow to the side of the bed so as to form a support for the canvas which made the roof. What could be more natural than that these men should adopt this same kind of wagon to carry their household effects and families over the mountains to their new homes. Countless stories could be told of the adventurers of the type of wagon which got its start then. Many times settlers in bands were attacked by Indians and all the members killed. Other times death met them in the form of disease or lack of food or water, but for every one who died many (the number is of course not known) lived to reach new homes, at first in Ohio, then choice sports further and further west, until the Pacific was reached. This wagon was the accepted means of conveyance for any who hoped to take his household with him. the method of locomotion varied with the person who drove and with the kind of territory through which the people were to travel. Sometimes mules were used, but more often oxen or horses did the heavy work of moving the cumberson and heavy wagons. The people who traveled in this uncomfortable conveyance were not, as may be suspected, the poorest and crudest in the country. There rests in the museum in Denver today definite proof of this. There is a tiny spinet (the ancestor of the modern day piano) which is built of beautiful rosewood, obviously expensive and probably imported from England. The story of this lovely piano is simple. It was found on a prairie not far from Denver by a band of settlers in the smoldering debris of what had once been a caravan of settlers. The people who had driven the oxen were all kead, killed by Indians, but the following band of settlers had been so close behind that they were able to come up before the fire had destroyed the wreckage of the wagons. Who owned that spinet and where they were going, no one knows. Wave upon wave of settlers continued to come despite the hardships and dangers and they came in their time proven covered wagons. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F04_25_001
Subjects: Models; Schools--Ohio; Students; Ohio State School for the Blind; Blind--Education--Ohio--Columbus; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: These models of a schooner yacht and the Mayflower were made to use as teaching tools for the students at the Ohio School for the Blind. The ship on the left is a schooner , a ship with at least two masts. A yacht is a pleasure craft. In 1851, the first race for a trophy was held, with the trophy given by the British. The winner was a ship named "America" and the race was later named the "American Cup Race." It is still held a irregular intervals. This replica of a two masted schooner yacht includes such small details as the movable hatch door. The ship on the right is a replica of the Mayflower which brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620. The ship first left England on August 21, 1620 with 90 passengers. It was accompanied by the ship called Speedwell with 30 passengers. The Speedwell developed problems and after two attempts, it was decided that the Mayflower would set sail to America alone. The finally set sail on September 6, 1920. After a dramatic voyage, with a man washed overboard during a storm with wild waves, a death of natural causes and the birth of a baby, the Mayflower sighted land on November 8. The Mayflower Compact was signed by the Pilgrims on November 11. It was not until December 21, 1620 that a permanent landing was made at Plymouth Harbor. The voyage of the Mayflower was at an end. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_049_001
Subjects: Model; Schooners; Yachts; Ship models; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)