Rare 1800s Western House Of Refuge New York Youth Reformatory Badge Pinback

Description

Rare Antique 1800s Western House of Refuge, Upstate New York Reformatory Badge.  Hallmarked on back "SMITH 15 DUTCH ST. N.Y." Late 1800s NY State Youth Detention Facility. Good condition, damage on pin (see photos).  Dimensions: 1-7/8" x 1-3/4"
The badges were given to the youth in the detention center for good behavior.  Badges said "ONWARD" "UPWARD" or  "EXCELSIOR"
The Western House of Refuge was a youth detention center in Rochester, New York; it was the first state managed reformatory in the United States, housing males under the age of eighteen who had been convicted of felonies in courts located in the central and western part of New York State.
In 1876, a Female Department was established; in 1886, the name was changed to the State Industrial School .
The Western House of Refuge continually expanded through the years, with expansion in facilities, policy, and number of inmates. It operated much like a child prison at first, whereas reform was brought in later years. The schooling was graded like regular school and not just two divisions of age. The biggest change came in 1886 when it was renamed "State Industrial School".In 1902 , 1,000 acres of land were purchased south of Rochester in the town of Rush , and the institution was moved "out to the country".
This badge complies with all Ebays policies regarding the listing of law enforcement insignia. It does not resemble a current law enforcement badge and is at least 75 years old and or is from an agency that no longer exists. Thanks! Badge is for collecting purposes only!