Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-07-08
Brief fIIlStOry Of the BlOOmSburg
Literary Institute.

A1ElcI 1AlStOEy O1 tnc BDlOOssASUUs8
Literary Institute.
- Itisdeemed expedient that o brief account
should be given Of the rise and progress OF
TIE BLooMsBURa LITERARY INSTITUTE the
buildings of which, as well as its inter-
ests, arc about to be identified as STATE
STATE NORMAL tho corner stone Of which
is laid this day. sa
The charter for the Institute having been
obtained from the Court Of Common Pleas
Of Columbia County, on the second day Of
May, 1865, a portion Of the Trustees named
in the Charter Of Incorporation met in
Bloomsbury, and effected u formal organi-
zation. This, as will be noticed, was at o
point Of time when the pecuniary condition
Of the country had been by no means rem.
dered comfortable and fourishing. Not
withstanding the discouraging condition of
monetary affairs, the people Of Bloomsbury
as we'll as Of the surrounding country, upon
the earnest representation Of men in our
midst who have always had the substantial
good Of the rising generation ut heart, took
the matter Of establishing a lirst-class Liter.
ary Institute, at Bloomsbury, seriously and
determinedly in hand, and the manifest re-
suits of their labors arc to-day shown in the
stately building now before us on these
grounds. Of benefits more lasting than
brick and mortar, and of greater value than
silver or gold, the progress in moral and in.
tellectual culture made by the two hundred
students who daily assemble in its halls un-
der instruction Of the able faculty, must in
the future speak. ..
On the second day of May, A. D. 1866, a
portion of the Trustees named in the char
ter, met. MS we have said, in Bloomsbury.
Little further than the pertecting Of an or
ganization was accomplished. designations
Of some of the Trustees followed, the pro-
ject languished, and soon the only charter
members who remained in the Board were
Leonard B. Rupert, David J. Waller and
William Snyder. The grounds now used by
the Institute were, however, secured, and
ut price known to be reasonable. Conf
dence was inspired, and on the third day OF
April A. d. 1867, less than nine months at:
ter, ground was broken, and within one ycal
after the first meeting Of the Trustees, the
Bloomsbury Literary Institute was dedica
ted to the exalted uses for which it had beer
erected. When it was known that this in
volvcd a cash expenditure Of twenty-five
thousand dollars, in round numbers, to sa.
nothing of considerable amount of gratu
itous mental and physical labor expended
by persons having the matter immeliatel.
in hand, :he working Trustees are bold t.
say for those of our citizens who contribu
ted this money, as well as for themselves
that the complete success Of the enterpriz
is source of pride. 1t is to be hoped tha
the rising generation will find it a source 9
gratitude. a bell of over twenty-five hun
dred pounds in weight, proper furniture
apparatus worth one Thousand dollers, an
such improvements of the grounds as coul,
be made during the limited time indicated
have been added to the requirements Of tn
premises, since the time of dedication an
the Institution to-day challenges comparison
with any of similar character in centra
Pennsylvania. Its location speaks for itsell
and will necessarily do so as long as pelluci,
streams and wholesome breezes are recogni
zcd as being among Natures bounties.
But it must now he recorded that to th
inspiring energy of Prof Henry Carver, tn
Contractor and Principal, the public is main
" indebted for this Institution. When tn
interests of others who had not the cause O
education SO deeply at heart, tagged, he, an
the Building Committee, consisting of Leon
ard b. Rupert, Peter Billmeyer and Freder
ick G. Eyer, the first named being chairman
continued unswervingly to push forward tn
enterprise; and the evidence Of their labor
we have before us.
The Bloomsburg Literary Institute is no,
be incorporated as State Normal School
one of those bcniticcnt institutions which
wise legislature established for the benefit c
the youth of Pennsylvania The glory 9
the Institute is not to be cclipsed, but it
to be augmented. Profound gratitude
due from our people to the State anthoritic
for the additional educational facilities thu
to be furnished, for by the presence Of hi
Exccllency Gov. Gcary and Mr.. Wicker
sham, the excellent State Superintendent
: Common Schools, which, it isto be hoped, tn
rising generation will pay in works Of plciy
patriotism, and benefcence.
LEONARD b. RUPERT,
President Board of Trustees.