Gezicht op vier scholen in Salem 1879

This is an anonymous, undated print titled 'Gezicht op vier scholen in Salem,’ or ‘View of Four Schools in Salem’. It provides glimpses into the architecture of education in a specific locale. Printed in a book about the early history of Salem, Massachusetts, these images offer a vision into the colonial mindset and the cultural values of the time. The architecture of these schools embodies a colonial aesthetic, reflecting the cultural values of settlers and the social structures they imposed. Education here can be viewed as a tool for cultural assimilation and the perpetuation of societal norms. Such images, produced and consumed during a time of colonial expansion, carry with them the weight of their historical context. They reflect ideas about progress, civilization, and the role of education in shaping a community. As we examine the image, consider how spaces of learning are not neutral but are shaped by power.