Alice in Poorland

Abstract

Using unpublished and as yet unstudied sources kept in the Archive Opera Pia Regina Margherita – Fondo Franchetti, it is possible to reconstruct the pedagogical experience of Alice Hallgarten Franchetti (New York, 1874-Leysin, 1911). Alice played a leading role in early twentieth century education in Italy. At the beginning of the century, supported by her husband, Leopoldo Franchetti, Baron and Senator of the Kingdom, she wanted to overturn the reality of the cultural exclusion of the poorest class by opening the two rural schools of Montesca and Rovigliano, which provided free education for farmers’ children in Umbria.
Furthermore, in 1908 she established the Laboratory Tela Umbra in opposition to the new techniques of mechanical looms, giving job opportunities to mothers and the poorest women of Città di Castello.