3-014-697 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Self-Master Colony - Rug making, between c1910 and c1915. The Self-Master Colony was an experiment in housing the homeless, situated in Union Township, Union County, New Jersey. The colony was established on the Hoyt family mansion grounds, thanks to Andress Small Floyd and his wife, Lillian. Over approximately 30 years, around 100,000 men found refuge within its walls. The colony was opened by Floyd in 1908 where homeless, destitute men could learn a new trade and rebuild their self-respect before returning to the world at large. Unfortunately, when the financial markets crashed in 1929, Floyd was one of its victims.