| 1626 |
David Thomson establishes a trading post on the island, begins trading with Native Americans. |
1832 |
Boston philanthropists, concerned about the welfare of boys who were orphaned or made destitute by the War of 1812, purchase Thompson Island for $6,000 with the intention of establishing a work program for them. |
1833 | The Boston Farm School is founded on Thompson Island with an inaugural class of 14 boys. Famed architect Charles Bullfinch designs the main building. | 1834 | The Boston Asylum for Indigent Boys, an orphanage in the North End, merges with the Farm School. The Boston Asylum and Farm School for Indigent Boys serves about 70 boys aged 5 to 11. Boys divide their time between farm work, study, and play. | 1837 | On August 27th, Nathaniel Hawthorne visits Thompson Island and records in his notebook: “An excursion aboard a steamboat to Thompson Island, to visit the Manual Labor School for boys.” | 1850 | Headmaster William Morse overhears a group of students entertaining themselves by singing and creating a makeshift “orchestra.” He purchases a small collection of instruments for them and establishes the first school band in America. Six alumni go on to become members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. | 1881 | In keeping with changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution, carpentry, printing, blacksmithing and painting shops are built. Students perform jobs for the school as well as for mainland clients. By now, school enrollment hovers around 100. | c. 1900 | School enrollment is limited to boys aged 10 to 14. Electricity, telephone and water systems are installed. Boys begin woodworking and start a newspaper. They build and run a weather observatory; telephoning data to the U.S. Weather Bureau. The school is renamed The Boston Farm and Trades School. | 1941 | In Europe, renowned educator Kurt Hahn develops the first Outward Bound course, emphasizing character development and hands-on learning. His vision leads to the eventual establishment of more than 50 Outward Bound Schools in 35 countries. | 1956 | The school becomes a six-year secondary school and is renamed Thompson Academy. The farm program is eliminated. Students begin wearing coats and ties. | 1961 | The first Outward Bound school in the US is established in Colorado. | 1975 | Thompson Academy closes and the school becomes Thompson Island Education Center, hosting short-term educational trips to supplement Boston Public Schools’ curriculum. Girls and women are welcomed for the first time. | 1988 | The island’s Board of Trustees selects Outward Bound as a partner to operate the island, creating a new entity — Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. The island continues its mission to serve underprivileged Boston youth with programs that instill teamwork, self-confidence and compassion, and that encourage learning by doing. | 1994 | Thompson Island Outward Bound opens an independent middle school for boys, called The Willauer School. It is the only academic school in the world run by an Outward Bound organization. | | 1996 | The Boston Harbor Islands, including Thompson Island, are designated a National Park Area. |
1997 | Thompson Island Outward Bound launches Choices, a school-based program centered around provision of week-long expeditions on Thompson Island for Boston Public School students and teachers ad the middle school level. | 2003 | The Willauer School begins accepting applications for girls. |
