Our Boys Institute facts for kids
The Our Boys Institute (often called OBI) was a special club for young men in Adelaide, South Australia. It was like a junior branch of the YMCA, which helps young people grow and learn. The OBI opened in 1896 in its very own building on Wakefield Street.
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The Our Boys Institute: A Place for Young Men
The Our Boys Institute was created to help boys aged 13 to 18. It was one of the first groups of its kind. Later, other famous youth groups like the Boys' Brigade and Scouting started up. The OBI helped young men learn good values and skills.
What Was Inside the OBI Building?
The building at 221 Wakefield Street had many cool features for the boys. It had rooms for lectures and games. There was even an indoor running track! The building also had a swimming pool. These facilities helped the boys stay active and learn new things.
What Did the OBI Do?
The Our Boys Institute believed in Christian values. They taught these values to the young men. Besides activities at the building, they also ran fun camps. The OBI even helped young men find jobs. It was a place where boys could get support and prepare for their future.
The Building's Special Look
The building itself was designed by an architect named F.W. Danker. It has a beautiful front made of carved sandstone. This style is called Venetian Gothic. It was so special that it was listed on the South Australian Heritage Register in 1980. This means it's an important historical building.
What Happened to the Building?
Over the years, the Our Boys Institute building has had many different uses. After being a club for boys, it became office spaces. It was also used as a college for students who studied from home. In 2008, it was turned into a fancy hotel. It first opened as the Wakefield Residence, but now it's called the Adabco Boutique Hotel.
Who Was Lady Victoria Buxton?
A special plaque on the building tells us about Lady Victoria Buxton. She was the wife of the South Australian Governor, Sir Thomas Buxton, 3rd Baronet. Lady Buxton was a kind person who helped many charities. She supported groups like the Mothers' Union and the YWCA. She lived in Adelaide from 1895 to 1898 and played a role in supporting the OBI.
About Wakefield Street
The street where the Our Boys Institute building stands is called Wakefield Street. It was named after Daniel Bell Wakefield. He was the brother of a more famous person named Edward Gibbon Wakefield.
Our Girls' Institute
Just like the Our Boys Institute, there was also an Our Girls' Institute. This group was similar but for young women. It was run by the YWCA. Two important leaders of the Our Girls' Institute were Phoebe Chapple and Edith Lavington Tite.
Images for kids
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The building that used to be the Our Boys Institute in Adelaide, Australia.
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A plaque on the building's wall, telling about its history.
