Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-07-15
Brief History of the bloomsbury
Literary Institute.

| It's deemed eXpedlent that brief accoun
should be given of the rise and progress o
The BLOoMsBuRG LITERARY INSTITUTE tho
buildings Of which, as well as its inter
ests, are about to be identified as a STATY
NORMAL SCHOOL the corner. stone of which
is laid this day.
The charter for the Institute having been
obtained from the Court of Common Plea;
of Columbia County, on the second day OF
May, 1866, portion Of the Trustees named
in the Charter Of incorporation met in
Bloomsburg, and effected formal organi
zation. This, as will be noticed, was at q
point of time when the pccunia,y condition
OF the country had been by no means rem
dered comfortable and flourishing. Not
withstandinc the discouraging condition OF
monetary affairs, the people of Bloomsbury.
as well 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 iirst-class Liter
ary Institute, at Bloomsburg, seriously and
dcterminedly in hand, and the manifest re-
suits of their labors are 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
tcllectual 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, as we have said, in Bloomsbury.
Little further than the perlecting 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
at a price known to be reasonable. Conf.
dence was inspired, and on the third day of
April A. D.. 1867, less than nine months af-
ter, ground was broken, and within one year
after the first meeting of the Trustees, the
Bloomsburg Literary Institute was dcdica-
ted to the exalted uses for which it had been
erected. When it was known that this in
volved' a cash expenditure of twenty-five
thousand dollars, in round numbers, to say
nothing of considerable amount of gratu-
itous mental and physical labor expended
by persons having the matter Immediately
in hand, :he working Trustees arc bold to
say for those Of our citizens who contribu-
ted this money, as well as for themselves,
that the complete success Of the enterprise
is source of pride. It's to be hoped that
the rising generation will find it source Of
gratitude. A bell of over twenty-five hun
dred pounds in weight, proper furniture,
apparatus worth one Thousand dollers, and
such improvements Of the grounds as could
be made during the limited time indicated
have been added to the requirements of the
premises, since the time of dedication; and
the Institution to-day challenges comparison
with any of similar character in central
PENNSYLVANIA. Its location speaks for itself,
and will necessarily do so as long as pellucid
streams and wholesome breezes are recogni-
zed as being among Natures bounties.
But it must now be recorded that to the
inspiring energy of Prof. Henry Carver the
Contractor and Principal, the public is main.
ly indebted for this Institution. When the
interests of Others who had not the cause of
education so deeply at heart, hagcd, he, and
tNc I)uiIuihS collliHlticc COtSlStlHE OF Leon
ard B. Rupert, Peter Billmeyer and Freder-
ick c. Eyer, the first named being chairman,
continued unswervingly to push forward the
enterprise; and the evidence of their labors
we have before us.
The Bloomsburg Literary Institute is now
to be incorporated as State Normal School
one of those benticent institutions which a
wise legislature established for the benefit of
the youth of Pennsylvania. The glory of
the Institute is not to be eclipsed, but it is
to be augmented. Profound gratitude is
due from our people to the State authorities
for the additional educational facilities thus
to be furnished, and for the presence of his
Eycellency Gov. Geary and Mr.. Wicker
sham, the excellent State Superintendent of
Common Schools, which, it isto be hoped the
rising generation will pay in works of plety,
and bonefcence.
LEONARD b. RUPERT,
President Board of Trustees.