The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-11


kepairs. ...................... @,OV0 w 2l,ly6ya
Aunuit!es ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 10000 10000
Miscellaneous expenses ..... 17,4rsOo 1o,O6OOi
Fuei Tor the poor. oO5bz
Special Appropriatons-
Temporary investment OF sur
Alterations s aot to property. SSSGSi G,siSSs
Monument to pupils OF College
Killed In battle .............. 100000 100000
Temporary investment OF in
come OF funds for improving
eastern part OF city. ....... 90,000O0 79,99691
Miscellaneous items. .......... 1,3I51o l,SI61O
Grand totals. s..........s ssls, O7sO6 ss2s, ,slO5O
Expenses OF College,. 16S,Sl9TS
Total expenditures of year. ......... .s49O, 4aO3s
The Girard CoilcEe-Its Construction and
History.
In view of the fact that the Girard College
passes into the hands of The new Board of Di-
rectors appointed by the new guardians of the
city trusts, the old board appointed by the City
Councils being done away with, sketch of its
history and construction may be of interest in
By the will of the late Stephen Girard, which
was admitted to probate in 1881, the sum of
two million dollars was given for the purpose of
building college for the education and habita-
ton of orphan children. Whatever sum was
left of this amount, after the expenses of the
building had been allowed, was to go towards
its endowment Besides this, the income of a
residue of the estate after various other public
and private bequests had been given, was to be
applied to the further improvement and endOw-
ment of the college. This residue included all
the rents and profits of the real estate in the
city of Philadelphia. which it was declared
should be forever applied to that purpose. In
the will the most minute directions are given
for the construction of the college building.
The site originally pointed out was the square
of ground in the city bounded by Eleventh,
Twelfth, Market, and Chestnut streets. This
was however, changed in a codicil to farm of
five acres, called Peel Hall, situated on the
Ridge road, in Penn township. This ground on
which the building was erected, Is now in the
but-up portion of Philadelphia. Directions
were given that the college, with suitable out
buildings, was 10 be constructed of the most
durable materials and in the most permanent
manner. W rsIa ". rs.-.. s,-..
All needless ornamentation was to be avoided.
The main building was to be at least one hun
dred aud sixty feet long by one hundred and ten
feet wide, with three stories, each fifteen feet
high. 1t was to be freproof throughout. The
floors and roof were to be formed of solid mate
rials, ON arches turned on proper centres.
Other directions were given for nearly all the
details of the work, including the materials to
be used, and the design for each particular part.
The grounds were to be surrounded by stone
wall capped with marble, with entrances on the
north and south fronts. There were to be at
least four Out-buildings. 1854 II "a.
The work of building began in July, 1888,
and the college was formally opened on January
/, 1S4S. 01 1lhq 0J at M
The outer walls, staircases, floors, and roof
The exact dimensions are-length, 1863 feet;
width, III feet; and height, 81 feet. The form
is that of Corinthian temple, surrounded by a
portico OF "a columns, each 55 feet high, and q
feet in diameter. The main doors on the north
aud south fronts are 16 feet wide and 80 feet
high. The east and west sides each contain
"a windows. A base of eleven marble steps
extends around the entire building. A marble
statue in the lower vestibue covers the remains
of Mr.. Girard. His clothes and furniture are
preserved Ia an adjoining apartment.
There are five other large buildings within
the enclosure which are used as professors resi-
dences, dormitories, etc., four OF which are of
marble, each two stories high, 1875 feet long
and SO feet wide. The total cost of the edi6ces
was over 81 ,930,00 Between the main build
ing and the first one to the east of 1t now stands
beautiful marble monument and statue,
erected in the fall of the year 1869 TO COM
memorate the services of former students
of the college who served the coun-
try with the sacrifice of their lives dur
ing the late war. The officers of the col
lege are president, secretary, two professors,
Ave male and twelve female teachers, a matron,
one assistant matron, and projects, stewards,
physicians ETC.. The Board of Directors ap-
pointed by the city authorities consists of seven
teen members. The first president of the college
was the Hon. Joel Jones, who was inaugurated
at the opening Of the college, January l. 184S.
He was succeeded by William Ii. Allen, inaugu-
rated January 1, 1850. Mr.. Allen held the posi-
ton for many years. and was succeeded by
Major Smith. On the removal of Mr.. Smith
by the board, the former president, Mr.. Allen
was prevailed upon TO again accept the charge
of the college, which position he now holds
The frst President of the Board of Directors
was Mr.. Joseph Il. Chandler, the second Mr.
Frederick Fraley. The number of orphans ad
mitted during the first year was 205. At the
close of the year just completed there were 5it
pupils In the college. The expenses OF main
tenance for the first complete year were abou
$4,000 Last year $171, ,675 was approeriatet
by Councils for that purpose, of whicl
Sl6s s8i038 was expended. The course Of stud.
is divided into primary, principal, aud collegiat
departments. The orphans are received betweel
the ages of six and ten years, are fed, clothed
and educated, and between the ages OF fourteen
aud eighteen are bound out to mechanical
Agricultural, or commercial professions. DuI
ing the past year 4S boys we're bound out,