Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-06-16
For the Enquirer
APPEAL
In BEHALF OF THE VIRGINIA MECHANICS ISsT
TUrE-To THE CITIZENS OF RICHMOND.

In BEHALF OF THE VIRGINIA MECHANICS ISsTf-
TurE-ro THE CITIZENS OF RICHMOND.
The undersigned. Committee appointed by the
Virginia Mechanics Institute for the purpose OF pre-
sentng its claims before the citizens Of Richmond,
beg leave to submit brief outline Ut lfs history IN
tho hope that the facts therein contained may enlist
your sympathes and secure the necessary aid whieh
we require to promote the objects OF our organizes.
tion-th"se OBJECTS being the EDucATtoS of the
YOUNG mECHASIcs, and the general good VI our City
and State.
About three years since number of gentlemen who
knew and felt the lack of education among the work.
ing classes and who were convinced that in no better
| way could they promote the growth, prosperity and
power Of Richmond than by educating her mechanics
| and extending her manufacturing interests, met to
rather aud formed the Virginia Mechanics Institute.
Within four months sfter :a formation they had All
exhibition Of specimens OF mechanical skill, tho fue
gr:s and the handwork of thu ladies Of the State,
which was nun-rousIy attended and the eclat with
which It closed a. We presume, Tres. in the minds of
most of citizens. We regret to add, however,
that no profits realized from that exhibition.
In the fall of 1856 secoud Far wss hed. and "a
the Institute than realized about 81 00O profit from
it, the Board of Managers immediately opsned two
Schools-One Tor teaching the rudiman's OF pla,
English education. and iiIs o:her for Drawing in al!
its oranch-s-both Of which we're put in charge Of the
ATTEST Teachers IL be had, and hs terms OF tuition
fullest extent that scholars could be accommodated.
| In tho fall OF 1885, the third annual Fair was held,
from which sufficient ueans We're realized to reopen
the Schools, aud both we're coon again filled to
flowing, and the satisfaction which tbs Board feel un
der such circumstances is only marred by their ina.
bility to accommodate the numerous applicants for
admission.
The benefits thus far deprived by Apprentices and
others from the Elementary School, hsv. been of in.
calculabe value TO ;hEm and is truly gratifying
know that this School IL properly appreciated oy the
working classes, many of whom can afford other
education to their children than such as can be OBJ.
tanned at night.
| In the Drawing School, or School of Design the
beneGcja effects Of its establishment, are even more
marked than that oil the elementary school, and We
take pride in calling public attention to it, and in
| puin,ing TO the specimens Of drawing executed BY
the pupils some of whiri are little inferior to the
produc ions Of accomplished srsts. Ii this branch
| Of education is maintained few years longer. VIZ
have no hesitation in saying that Richmond will not
only have An abundance OF first class archt-cts and
craftsmen TO supply her own wants, but that she will
bs enabled 10 furnish the State and South with all
thu talent needed in the art of Designing and Draw.
ing.
With these facts before you, fellow citizens, need
we make any strong appeal to your lib.rslity 10
come forward and aid us in erecting suitable hall
in which TO hold our exhibitions of manufactures,
mechanism, fine arts and specimens Of the skill aud
industry of the ladics-in which to hold Schools,
to open Library to contain Cabins, of Minerals,
aud to maintain Reading Room that will prove at
tractive to the youth Of our city, a3d benehcial,
| through them, 10 the whole community Feeling
The importance al lntneoia'e aol'on' anu ueie'ing
that you are ready and willing to aid i, in erecting
hall worthy Of the purposes above named, the lnst-
tu,e has purchased lot on Oh street, near Boshers
Hall, and now ask you to contribute literally to-
wards the erection of neat and substantial build.
ing. We feel that We are appealing To friends who
have the Interests of our city OF h-arr and such
will sustain in the effort now making 10 educate
and improve our msohanics, and to benefit the Ia
boring classes generally.
To carry out this end, the Board Of Managers have
| nsfr cfadf hair Lew
call upon you, aud solicit Donations and We sincerely
trust that you will exhibit that libersiy and public
sprit for which you have ever been no'ed -snd that
ere six months elapss The Virginia Mechanics List.