Organization of Educational Processes in Craft Classes of the Widow's Home in Nizhny Novgorod in Early 20th Century

This article explores the history of the establishment and operation of craft classes, and subsequently a vocational school, at the Municipal Public Institution named after the Blinov and Bugrov Widow's Home in Nizhny Novgorod during the early 20th century. It details the history of the construction of the building designated for craft departments, outlines the sources of funding, and examines the composition and roles of staff in the women’s needlework and men’s shoemaking classes. The study characterizes the curriculum followed by students, as well as the age and social composition of both girls and boys. It describes the materials and educational resources acquired for instruction, the volume of products produced, and the maintenance of the building housing the craft classes. The article notes that upon completion of their studies, graduates from the needlework class had opportunities to work in a women's sewing workshop organized within the Widow's Home. The author concludes that the trustees of this charitable institution, in collaboration with local government bodies, aimed to provide comprehensive support to their wards, identifying and nurturing their talents. The functioning of the craft classes is reconstructed based on reports from the Widow's Home regarding its activities and a report on the construction of a new two-story building intended for the vocational school and dormitory.