Outdoor canteens, lessons in sub-zero weather and classrooms without walls: Remarkable photos show how FRESH AIR was used to stop the spread of TB in early 20th century schools

  • These are the fascinating images of the open air schools of the early twentieth century 
  • Children braved freezing temperatures in an attempt to combat the widespread rise of tuberculosis
  • In the years leading up to the Second World War, thousands of sickly children were sent to open air schools 
  • The movement started in Germany with the creation of 'Forest school for sickly children'  

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Everyone thinks they had it bad at school but spare a thought for the children of the early 1900s who were forced to endure lessons outside in the harshest depths of winter.

These are the fascinating images of the open air schools of the early twentieth century - where children braved freezing temperatures in an attempt to combat the widespread rise of tuberculosis.

In the years leading up to the Second World War, thousands of sickly children were sent to open air schools, which were set up across Britain, Europe and America. 

The movement was built on the concept that fresh air, good ventilation and exposure to the outside could prevent the spread of tuberculosis and improve the health of 'sickly' children across the world. 

The movement started in Germany with the creation of 'Forest school for sickly children' in Berlin in 1904 - which was designed to tackle tuberculosis.

Other cities adopted them soon after - the first open air school in England was built in Bostall Wood, London in 1907 and New York's first outdoor school launched in 1908 on an abandoned ferry. 

However after the Second World War, opinions towards open-air schools changed dramatically. Standards of living improved and new treatments, including antibiotics had been introduced, leading to a decline in tuberculosis.

These black and white images show the open air schools of the early twentieth century - where children braved freezing temperatures in an attempt to combat the widespread rise of tuberculosis. Children are pictured with sleds outside of their open-air school in Rochester, New York,  circa 1910s

These black and white images show the open air schools of the early twentieth century - where children braved freezing temperatures in an attempt to combat the widespread rise of tuberculosis. Children are pictured with sleds outside of their open-air school in Rochester, New York, circa 1910s

In the years leading up to the Second World War, thousands of sickly children were sent to open air schools. Pictured is a rest period at the Elizabeth McCormick Open Air School in Chicago, circa 1910

In the years leading up to the Second World War, thousands of sickly children were sent to open air schools. Pictured is a rest period at the Elizabeth McCormick Open Air School in Chicago, circa 1910

Children who all appear to have ailments are snapped playing in Hodge Open Air School, Cleveland, Ohio, circa 1910 in this black and white shot

Children who all appear to have ailments are snapped playing in Hodge Open Air School, Cleveland, Ohio, circa 1910 in this black and white shot

Children waiting in line for food at an open air school in Manhattan, New York City, circa 1900

Children waiting in line for food at an open air school in Manhattan, New York City, circa 1900

The movement was built on the concept that fresh air, good ventilation and exposure to the outside could prevent the spread of tuberculosis (pictured: an open air school in France)

The movement was built on the concept that fresh air, good ventilation and exposure to the outside could prevent the spread of tuberculosis (pictured: an open air school in France)

There was no heating and kids were forced to sleep outside. Youngsters are pictured at an open-air school in San Jose, California following the 1906 Earthquake

There was no heating and kids were forced to sleep outside. Youngsters are pictured at an open-air school in San Jose, California following the 1906 Earthquake

School boys are captured studying carpentry at Riverdale Country School in New York City with the windows wide open, circa 1910s

School boys are captured studying carpentry at Riverdale Country School in New York City with the windows wide open, circa 1910s

A class having their afternoon rest in deck chairs at the London Open-air School, circa 1907

A class having their afternoon rest in deck chairs at the London Open-air School, circa 1907

In a bid to stamp out the disease, children were taught outdoors all day every day and lessons were never abandoned no matter how cold it got. School children are pictured seated at two tables outdoors in an open air school in Cincinnati, Ohio, circa 1912

In a bid to stamp out the disease, children were taught outdoors all day every day and lessons were never abandoned no matter how cold it got. School children are pictured seated at two tables outdoors in an open air school in Cincinnati, Ohio, circa 1912

Children handled the bracing weather by wrapping themselves in coats, blankets and ¿sitting out bags¿ as pictured. A school-boy wearing a coat with an attached bag covering his feet at an open air school in New York City, circa 1910s

Children handled the bracing weather by wrapping themselves in coats, blankets and 'sitting out bags' as pictured. A school-boy wearing a coat with an attached bag covering his feet at an open air school in New York City, circa 1910s

A study group at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910, where they were forced to sit outside to combat tuberculosis

A study group at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910, where they were forced to sit outside to combat tuberculosis

The movement started in Germany with the creation of 'Forest school for sickly children' in Berlin in 1904 - which was designed to tackle tuberculosis. Pictured is the site of the first year round open air school in Chicago, Illinois, circa 1910

The movement started in Germany with the creation of 'Forest school for sickly children' in Berlin in 1904 - which was designed to tackle tuberculosis. Pictured is the site of the first year round open air school in Chicago, Illinois, circa 1910

Other cities adopted them soon after - the first open air school in England was built in Bostall Wood, London in 1907 and New York's first outdoor school launched in 1908 on an abandoned ferry (pictured: A class being taught at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910)

Other cities adopted them soon after - the first open air school in England was built in Bostall Wood, London in 1907 and New York's first outdoor school launched in 1908 on an abandoned ferry (pictured: A class being taught at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910)

Italy, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Hungary also opened schools. This snap shows a Physical Education class being taught at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910.

Italy, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Hungary also opened schools. This snap shows a Physical Education class being taught at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910.

In the 1912 guide 'The Open-Air School', Hugh Broughton declared that 'Children who live in the open become acclimatized to cold and so should not be fussed over.' Pictured: Children take afternoon rest outside at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910

In the 1912 guide 'The Open-Air School', Hugh Broughton declared that 'Children who live in the open become acclimatized to cold and so should not be fussed over.' Pictured: Children take afternoon rest outside at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910

By 1937 there were 96 open air day schools in operation throughout Britain, and 53 that were also residential - and many of the attending children would have been simply described as 'delicate' or 'sickly' (pictured: A class being taught on a lawn with children sat in deck chairs at the London Open-air School, circa 1907)

By 1937 there were 96 open air day schools in operation throughout Britain, and 53 that were also residential - and many of the attending children would have been simply described as 'delicate' or 'sickly' (pictured: A class being taught on a lawn with children sat in deck chairs at the London Open-air School, circa 1907)

Children were also forced to eat their meals out in the cold. Pictured: A class having their dinner at the London Open-air School, circa 1907

Children were also forced to eat their meals out in the cold. Pictured: A class having their dinner at the London Open-air School, circa 1907

A class are captured being taught at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910

A class are captured being taught at the Charlton Park Open Air School in Charlton Park, London, circa 1910

An Open-air Tuberculosis ward in Leasowe, the Wirral, UK, is captured in panoramic view circa 1900s

An Open-air Tuberculosis ward in Leasowe, the Wirral, UK, is captured in panoramic view circa 1900s

Children had to wrap up warm in gloves, scarves and wool hats at an open air school in the Netherlands, 1918

Children had to wrap up warm in gloves, scarves and wool hats at an open air school in the Netherlands, 1918

An Open Air Class on Day Camp Rutherford with the Manhattan skyline in the background, New York, 1911

An Open Air Class on Day Camp Rutherford with the Manhattan skyline in the background, New York, 1911

Children wrapped up warm in huge coats with hoods as they snuggled under blankets at Orde Street Open Air School in Toronto, 1919

Children wrapped up warm in huge coats with hoods as they snuggled under blankets at Orde Street Open Air School in Toronto, 1919

Children attempted to take a nap in the freezing conditions at a fresh air class in Manhattan, New York, 1911

Children attempted to take a nap in the freezing conditions at a fresh air class in Manhattan, New York, 1911

Children go about their daily school activities on the balcony at an open air class at Bellevue Hospital, New York City, circa 1900s

Children go about their daily school activities on the balcony at an open air class at Bellevue Hospital, New York City, circa 1900s

Children are pictured eating at their desks whilst dressed in winter clothing at an Open-air School in South Boston, circa 1910

Children are pictured eating at their desks whilst dressed in winter clothing at an Open-air School in South Boston, circa 1910

Children read textbooks in an open air school for cripples in the US circa 1900s

Children read textbooks in an open air school for cripples in the US circa 1900s

Children shiver as they sit at desks, wearing hooded coats in an open-air school in Chicago, Illinois, circa 1900s

Children shiver as they sit at desks, wearing hooded coats in an open-air school in Chicago, Illinois, circa 1900s

Children lying on cots during a rest period at an open air school in Rochester, New York, 1912 

Children lying on cots during a rest period at an open air school in Rochester, New York, 1912 

Children seated in a classroom in Sacramento, California, with the windows wide open, circa 1900s

Children seated in a classroom in Sacramento, California, with the windows wide open, circa 1900s

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