The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-27

Inc conultl0ns on which the location was to be
made are fully set forth by Act and Resolve of the
last Legislature of the State. The parties whom
have tho honor to represent, fully believing in the
local and general advantages, which to accrue
from accepting the conditions readily consented IN
the pecuniary burden and other responsibilities
which were necessary to be carried order to
the location aud maintenance of "State Normal
School," On this interesting OCCASION in behalf of
my fellow townsmen, thank the official representa-
ves OF the State for the opportunity given us to
sincerity and faith in the future success of the
Institution, the buildings OF which ars now come
pleted. In early spring after preliminary but thor
ough EXAMINATION of all our Academy and Seminary
property, plans and specifications were executed
and request was made by the State authorities for
more extensive grounds; also, the erection OF new
school building was urged, on broader scale than
was at drst contemplated These requirements in
the judgment Of the State authorities were considered
essential for successful school, and compliance
thereto on our part became necessary to secure ito
location The proposition was an abandonment of
| the old Academy and its grounds for Normal School
| purposes.
| Tt was plan entirely different from oar previous
intentions and declarations, and called for much
larger outlay Of money than had ever been contem-
plated. After some hesitancy and deliberation the
proposition was unanimously accepted by all of the
| parties interested, and fortunately the wisdom Of
| the course has now become apparent to all. An
eligible and spacious lot was selected by tho State
authorities and Immediately purchased by the trus-
tees of Gorham Seminary.
| Active work followed, and the 'corner stons' of
| tks building was laid six months ago. From
that early period the snnervisinn anil ainoti>- %
the many details incident to the progress Of the work.
has received the careful attention of competent and
skillful architect under the watchful and d.
recton of the State Normal School board of trustees
After recent inspection OF the entire work of the
new building and Seminary, am informed that this
| honorable board, Officially representing the State
fully satisfied that all OF the conditions and
| quirements have been substantially met and per-
formed by the parties that represent and they have
expressed willingness to accept the same, and fur
thsr declare that the State Of Maine on its part,
may properly receive charge OF the entire property
for purposes indicated by the action Of the last Leg
islaturs.
The new building is now complete; it tells lis
story; and invite careful personal inspection
from the public Of its external and internal arrange
nents. We have the pleasure and satisfaction to
point out and name some of the considerations of
value which spread out before us connected with
this undertaking. The deed which hold conveys
the recent purchase Of land on which the Normal
School building has been erected. The spot and
associations which surround it interesting and
historic particularly to inhabitant of Gorhan.
1t is part of the original lot Of earliest Settlers
and the title comes from lineal descendant OF the
same family and name (McLellan) which furnished
the deed and title for the lot which the old Acad-
envy stands in close proximity. The summit on
which the Normal School building has been erected,
commands an extensive and splendid prospect. In
southsry direction easily the blue of
the Atlantic, on whose broad bosom as many fifty
sailing vessels frequently be by aid Of the
eye alone. The brave men Of the ocean, as they
pass and repass this high elevation, easily recog
nizs the public building on its summit. The farmer,
mechanic, and man of business as they hurry along
the great public thoroughfares which run in full
sight of this building, must be impressed with Its i'm
portance and Buildings OF this character, %
conspicuous, become public monuments, which indi-
cate the sentiment of the people. They inspire the
peholder with confluence in the future. Ear
towards the north and west are seen the
rocky but cultivated hills of old Oxford and
farther still the White Mountains, the high lands
and granite hills of New Hampshire and at shorter
distances we sec numerous villages with prominent
church spires; between these spread out the
happy rural homes of the farmers OF York and
Cumberland, and finally grand panoroma invites
and captivates the eye, as it follows along bsauti-
ful and extended landscape As we turn to the
west and SOUTH Mount Hope the high lands Of York
county, and the fertile valleys Of the Saco ours in
sight. Towards the east the neighboring towns
Of Westbrook, Windham, Cumberland, &c., and
perhaps Androscoggin County is in the far
distance. In full view is the city of Portland with
its Hospital many church spires and public schools
"Ths Forest City, it proudly On its own hills
1.-THE gem of the sea-
Pardon me- il We change the scope or our vision
and look directly about us. The summit and the
building which stands upon it from nearly
avery home IN town. 1t readily commands nearly
every spot that is memorable in the history of our
town Let pause and look upon an interesting
and historic picture. In plain sight is the farm lol
Of the first settler the spot where the first tree was
felIed by the woodman's axe the forest home of
Capt John Phinncy, and the cleared grounds once
occupied by his neighbors, the Coudmans MeLelaus
Watsons, Moshiers. Hamblins and Irish, families Of
elden times. The spot where the Bryant family was
massacred by the Indians, April 10Th, 174G. The
bill on which stood the old fort where all early
inhabitants gathered for mutual protection
and safety and during a residence of seven long
years were the subjects Of untold suffering, keen
privations, dire want, and constant fears. Conse-
Grated spot. Where the gospel was first preached,
and the early school master was at home; where
manly heroism developed and the better hsrcd.
tary characteristics Of people were formed where
the seeds of loyalty sown, and took root fully
rips when tho crisis of our Revolutionary history
called for hardy race of brave men, Such wore
The representatives of the families who lived in the
Fort on yonder hill. At every turn of the wheel
which marks or measures of progress let the
chain connecting US with the past continue unbrok
be perfect in memory, between the present genera
ton and our ancestors again. Near by the Normal
school building the eye rests upon the soldiers
monument. 1t will ever teach a silent but perpet-
ual youth, that the memory and deeds of
brave and loyal men never die; and although hum
be patriot soldier may sleep forever, far, far from
home he is ever remembered by grateful and in
telgent people. We cannot pass by the old Acade-
my building, which is the nearest neighbor to the
Normal School. 1t has remarkable history, COM
mencips three quarters of century ago; not only
rsvered by all for its antiquity, but still more for
what has done for science and learning. There 10
strong and abiding sentiment of attachment for
his old temple of Learning, and it is by no means
confined to our own citizens; for it is the Alma
Mata of numerous and distinguished Alumni,
scattered throughout our State and found in far
distant homes. The names of the former prominent
OF town are connected with lt5 early n1st0-
~: Judge Stephen Lengfellow, Judge William Cor
ham, Hon. Lothrop Lewis, DR.. Dudley Folsom
and the Irish McLelans and Phinneys and many
others, were perseverng in their efforts, and gener
GUS with their means to establish the Academy.
they were public spirited men who sleep in yonder
graveyard but their memories are still attached to
and preserved in that building of beautiful proper
ton and model. Its heavy and reliable frame Of
oak has outlived the shade trees that surrounded it,
and looks If it might defy the storms Of centuries
There is a determination that it shall be faithfully
preserved and long may it stand the shadows Of the
TWO buildings will meet and blend fraternaly
together the represents the past the other the
present generation. The Seminary brick building
which was erected in 1885 at cost of $40 Oo0 and
dedicated in the year 1887 has been thoroughly re-
paired, heated by steam, and the deed which has
been executed conveys the to the State togeth
er with large quantity Of personal property 1t
will make valuable, and convenient dormitory toI
teachers aud students. The brick building which
has been erected for the Of the Normal school, and
10 be conveyed to the State is nearly perfect in it,
architecture and design; it is built aud finished of
the best material, well ventilated, with steam heat
ing apparatus costly furniture and everything con