Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/George Junior Republic

GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC, a community of boys and girls near Freeville, N. Y., about 10 miles east of Ithaca, founded in 1895 by William R. George. The purpose of the community is to afford to neglected, reckless, and unfortunate children an opportunity to acquire an education and character necessary to lead a useful life. It is the outcome of an experiment made by Mr. George for a number of years, consisting of taking between 150 and 250 children from the city slums to his country home during their vacation. The organization of the Republic is modeled upon that of the United States. The age of admission is 12 to 18 years, and children from any part of the United States may be admitted. Defectives are not admitted if their condition is known. The institution was in successful operation for many years and its success resulted in the foundation of similar establishments in various parts of the country. These were all independent of each other and of the original institution, but eventually the National Association of Junior Republics was formed. The parent establishment in New York was seriously criticized in respect to its conduct in 1913, and difficulties about meeting its budget eventually resulted in a decision of the trustees to close the institution in 1914. At that time, Mr. George's offer to take over the institution was accepted.