The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-08
LOCAL MATTERS.
RICHMOND NORMAL SCHOOL.
CLOSING EXERC CIsES STo-SIGHT--THE sPLEN-
DID BUILDING TO BE PRESENTED TO THE
CITY-SKETC1 OF TIE INSTITUTION, &C.

Tonight at S O'Clock the closing exercises
OF the Richmond Normal School (colored)
and the distribution of medals and awards
to the proficient pupils will take place in the
assembly-room Of the institution, which is
situated near the corner of Twelfth and
Clay streets, and is presided over by Mr.. r.
VI. Manly, the untiring principal. His in
terest in the success not only OF the school
OF which he is the excellent head, but also
his desire to aid in the advancement of our
public schools, has made him very promi.
nent in this city during the past few years.
Mr.. Manly is also Il member Of the Board
OF Aldermen, and his course there has won
for him the respect and regard OF all with
whom he has come in contact.
The Richmond Normal School is'new n
well-known institution, and tonight the
exercises will be peculiarly interesting in
view OF the fact that the lot, ,schoo-buildtngs,
and all of the fixtures, will be presented as
gift to the city by the principal. Mr.. Manly
has long had this desire in his breast, and
has for Il considerable time been making his
arrangements so that the valuable property
might be transferred in good condition and
without having a dollar Of debt upon it.
An appropriate presentation address will
be made, and, of course, response Mayor
Kelley and other prominent city officials
Will be present.
The Normal School was organized in 1867,
two years after the close Of the wSr, the OBJ
iect being to bring together the more ad-
yanced and more promising pupils; to sepa-
rate them from the inferior grades, and give
them more systematic and careful training.
DIR. Manly erected framed building for the
temporary accommodation OF tire school on
Navy Hill in 1867, at a. cost of about 5000.
Finding from the beginning that the enter
prise would in every respect be a success,
he turned his attention to the erection OF a
more commanding edifce, which would
stand for years, q monument OF his enter
prise and energy. ' sr'.r7.
The splendid brick structure which will
tonight be presented to the city was erected
in 1S70-'71 at an expense, including the land
upon which it is built, the furniture, appa-
ratus, &C., of more than $50, 900. The funds
came principally from the Freedmen's Bu-
reau. The cost for the annual support of
the school. which it has been Mr.. Manly's
sole duty to provide, has come wholly from
private charity in the North and this city,
and has amounted to something more than
S3, 900 per year. '..s.. .....,,.....
The average number Of pupils receiving
instruction in the highest department has
been little less than 100 The model
school department has been kept at about 80
scholars. 1t has turned out 20 graduates,
and has furnished over 100 teachers for the
public schools in the State OF Virginia.
The deed for the transfer has been COM
pleted, and the formal ceremonies incident
to this splendid gift will, rs stated above,
take place tonight. The condition upon
which the property is given to the city is
that the school shall be maintained, and
that Mr.. Manly shall be principal, but with
out expense to the city.