Following is information about the Tarrytown school that various people have
sent me:
The school that you are talking about was a coeducational school and summer
camp that was started in the 1930's for children 4 to 14 that promised to
convert them from "emaciated, often unsocial-minded children, through
well-balanced nourishing food, scientific physical training, good schooling,
intelligently and individually administered, into clean-minded,
sports-loving boys and girls and good citizens."
Although I lived for 15 years just north of Tarrytown, I am sorry to say
that I do not know where the school was located or anything about the
property. If you find out the answer, please let me know. I'd love to find
out.
It was called the Bernarr McFadden
Military Academy and was located in Tarrytown, NY. The man
running this co-ed school was a "Captain Brownie".
I was 12 years old when I started there, and spent a portion
of the school year there from April till June
of 1952, then went back in the Fall of 1952 and stayed until
the following June of 1953.
At the graduation, I was a member of the "crack" drill team,
and after the graduation was completed
we all lined-up and got to shake hands with Mr. McFadden. I
remember his handshake and grip were
formidable. The school went on for a couple of years more,
I believe, but when I went back many years later, it was
now some sore of social/camp and had no connection to the
McFaddens.
I went to that school in 1941 at the age of 5(1941) and was there for 8
years. As a child I recall the many visits that Macfadden made to the
school. The hours of preperation to sharpen up our drilling skills and
marching manual that he had laid out for our Captian. In the evening we
performed a play by Irving Berlin. I was the lead singer and performed the
Berlin tune Your in the army now ,your not behind the plow, your digging a
ditch you son of a bitch your in the army now. and we were. Macfadden wanted
us to go on to west Point and ran the school as a marine military school,
with every kid carrying a 5lb. navy training rifle, call it a gun and you
spept with it.
I was just 8 at the time of the performance but I recall his big smile and
loud applause. I am now writing a memoir on my childhood and would
appreciate any info you have on his military school in Tarrytown NY
I went there around 1953/54 when I was approximatly 8/9 years old .
I have a little bit of information that I obtained from the Tarrytown
Historical society, but it is very scanty--only an old map of the property
as it was in 1900(pre MacFadden). I went there recently and hiked around a
little but didn't find much left of the old camp. I think one of the main
buildings that was there in 1953 may now be the one that is being used by
the 'Nigeran embassy' ? I found what may be the remains of the swimming pool
that was in use at the camp but surrounding structures that I remember don't
seem to be there anymore so am not completly sure.
The school folded in 1953 (?) as a resiult of a suit brought against the
school due to an accident that occurred while I was a student.
I recall BMF delivering an address at a commencement exercise while standing
on his head. This was possibly 1945 or 46.
I went to school there in 48 through 52 - a very good school I have info.
I went to that school when I was five(1941-1948) and was there for seven
years. I remember him coming to school to watch us drill. I have since
visited the site and there are no remains of the school. I am writing
amemoir of my early years and that school plays a big part in my life.
When I was about 5 or 6 I attended a boarding school he established in
Tarrytown, New york. This was not mentioned on your web site so I thought
you would be interested. It was in a beautiful setting, and I have a picture
of my father and myself in front of the school when McFadden came to visit.
The school was called McFaddens and is
mentioned in a book called History of the Tarrytowns by Jeff Canning and
Wall Buxton. It is published
by HarborHill Books, 1993. It says the school was on Sheldon Avenue in
Irvington, the next town up from Tarrytown.
The two or three years I spent there were very significant in my life. My
brother (3 yrs older) was next door at a boys military school. I am very
anxious to find out what happened to my school, and any of the other
children who attended when I did. This would have been around 1949 -1951 or
so. I would be very grateful for any help or advice you can give to me as
to how to go about this. Several years ago I put an ad in the Tarrytown
paper for info, but got no relevent responses. I would like to know whether
the school is still there in some form, or even just the property. We heard
it might of burned down, but in my picture it looks like it was an imposing
stone bldg. We were also told it was near the Duchess of Talyrand estate.
Could this be Lindhurst now?
My husband and I drove around several streets and they have a familar feel.
I remember a long drive going up. We were also told that it was used as a
summer camp at one point. I would like see the location again before it
succumbs to the development that is going on in that area. I would also like
any ideas you have on finding any classmates that may still be around.
)