Kindergarten Facts

Friedrich Froebel, German, invented kindergarten. He was a teacher, author and toy maker. His experience as an educator led him to the conclusion that playtime can be very instructive; an essential part of a child’s education. He founded the first kindergarten for this purpose in 1837 in Blankenburg, Germany.

Froebel also invented of a series of toys designed to stimulate learning. He called them gifts. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright's mother gave her son some of these gifts in the form of maple wood blocks. Wright often spoke of the value the gifts had brought him throughout his life.

The first public kindergarten in the U.S. was started by Conrad Poppenhusen in College Point, Queens, New York in 1870.

Lincoln Logs

Frank Lloyd Wright was born Frank Lincoln Wright, but he legally changed his name when his parents were divorced. Lloyd Jones was his Welsh mother’s maiden name and Frank changed his name to honor her.

Lincoln logs were invented by his son and named after his father's real middle name.

One of my favorite quotes of his, "Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities."