Media Essay
Children's artwork created at Weir Courtney
After the war, Alice Goldberger cared for 24 refugee children at Lingfield House on the Weir Courtney Estate in England. She attempted to create a typical childhood for this group of young survivors of the Holocaust. Artwork created by the children reflects the happier times they encountered on the estate, with pets, sports, games, and other activities. She cared for the children from 1945 until 1957.
Explore some of the art created by the children during their time at Weir Courtney.
Children's art: Drawing of people in a garden
Alice Goldberger (1897-1986) was born in Berlin, Germany. Trained as a youth-work instructor, she ran a shelter for disadvantaged children and their families. When Hitler came to power, Alice, who was Jewish, had to give up her post. She immigrated to England in 1939. When war broke out, Alice was interned on the Isle of Man as an enemy alien. While there, she organized a children's facility.
Hearing of Alice's work in the camp, psychoanalyst Anna Freud (daughter of Sigmund Freud) intervened to secure her release. Alice then became the superintendent of a nursery for the children of working wartime mothers. In 1945, after the end of the war and the liberation of Nazi camps, Alice became caretaker, advocate, and teacher to 24 refugee children who were brought to England and were ultimately housed in an estate called Weir Courtney. She worked diligently to create a childhood for these young survivors of horrific experiences during the Holocaust. As Alice herself wrote in 1957: "I wanted the children to feel that the world is still full of good and friendly people, who stretch their hand across oceans and wide countries to help their fellowmen."
This is one of the colorful pieces of art created by children at Weir Courtney, reflecting happier times under Alice's care.
Children's art: Lingfield House diary
Alice Goldberger (1897-1986) was born in Berlin, Germany. Trained as a youth-work instructor, she ran a shelter for disadvantaged children and their families. When Hitler came to power, Alice, who was Jewish, had to give up her post. She immigrated to England in 1939. When war broke out, Alice was interned on the Isle of Man as an enemy alien. While there, she organized a children's facility.
Hearing of Alice's work in the camp, psychoanalyst Anna Freud (daughter of Sigmund Freud) intervened to secure her release. Alice then became the superintendent of a nursery for the children of working wartime mothers. In 1945, after the end of the war and the liberation of Nazi camps, Alice became caretaker, advocate, and teacher to 24 refugee children who were brought to England and were ultimately housed in an estate called Weir Courtney. She worked diligently to create a childhood for these young survivors of horrific experiences during the Holocaust. As Alice herself wrote in 1957: "I wanted the children to feel that the world is still full of good and friendly people, who stretch their hand across oceans and wide countries to help their fellowmen."
This is one of the pieces of art created by children at Lingfield House, on the Weir Courtney estate, reflecting happier times under Alice's care. The diary included drawings and writings by Sylvia, Eva, Hanka, and Hedi.
Children's art: Handmade comic book "To Alice from Ervin Bogner"
Alice Goldberger (1897-1986) was born in Berlin, Germany. Trained as a youth-work instructor, she ran a shelter for disadvantaged children and their families. When Hitler came to power, Alice, who was Jewish, had to give up her post. She immigrated to England in 1939. When war broke out, Alice was interned on the Isle of Man as an enemy alien. While there, she organized a children's facility.
Hearing of Alice's work in the camp, psychoanalyst Anna Freud (daughter of Sigmund Freud) intervened to secure her release. Alice then became the superintendent of a nursery for the children of working wartime mothers. In 1945, after the end of the war and the liberation of Nazi camps, Alice became caretaker, advocate, and teacher to 24 refugee children who were brought to England and were ultimately housed in an estate called Weir Courtney. She worked diligently to create a childhood for these young survivors of horrific experiences during the Holocaust. As Alice herself wrote in 1957: "I wanted the children to feel that the world is still full of good and friendly people, who stretch their hand across oceans and wide countries to help their fellowmen."
These pages from a hand-drawn comic book are among the artworks and projects created by children at Weir Courtney, reflecting happier times under Alice's care.
Children's art: "Lav Fritz," handmade pamphlet of drawings by Fritz Friedmann
Alice Goldberger (1897-1986) was born in Berlin, Germany. Trained as a youth-work instructor, she ran a shelter for disadvantaged children and their families. When Hitler came to power, Alice, who was Jewish, had to give up her post. She immigrated to England in 1939. When war broke out, Alice was interned on the Isle of Man as an enemy alien. While there, she organized a children's facility.
Hearing of Alice's work in the camp, psychoanalyst Anna Freud (daughter of Sigmund Freud) intervened to secure her release. Alice then became the superintendent of a nursery for the children of working wartime mothers. In 1945, after the end of the war and the liberation of Nazi camps, Alice became caretaker, advocate, and teacher to 24 refugee children who were brought to England and were ultimately housed in an estate called Weir Courtney. She worked diligently to create a childhood for these young survivors of horrific experiences during the Holocaust. As Alice herself wrote in 1957: "I wanted the children to feel that the world is still full of good and friendly people, who stretch their hand across oceans and wide countries to help their fellowmen."
These pages from a hand-drawn pamphlet by Fritz Friedmann are among the artworks and projects created by children at Weir Courtney, reflecting happier times under Alice's care.
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