Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-12-09
The John Stephenson Female
Seminary.

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Nothing has occurred in the last
twenty years that is destined to be
productive of more substantial good
to our community than the organiza-
ton of the institution above named.
Decade after decade, our people have
felt the want of and expressed the
desire for increased educational adj
vantages. 1t is true We had in our
midst good efficient schools for pri-
mary instruction, but beyond that was
blank yet to be filled. The con-
sequence was that most of the fair
daughters of our county were sent
beyond its limits, there to receive
such training, requirements and ac-
complishments as would fit them for
the life opening before them. With
a sincere desire to benefit the com
munity in which he lived, and in full
filing the pronptings OF a benevo-
lent disposition, John Stephenson, a
former citizen of this town, as early
as 1858, donated to a number of
trustees, four acres of land, beauti-
fully situated at the eastern end of
the town. In his deed of gift the
donor declares that this property shall
be held by said trustees.' In trust for
the purpose of laying the foundation
in the county of jefferson for Fe-
male Seminary, to be erected on said
lot or elsewhere in or near the town
of Charlestown, in which complete
education may be had under such
rules and regulations as may be
prescribed by said trustees or by a
corporation duly chartered under the
laws of the State. He further an
nounced his desire that such princi-
Piles and precepts as were held in
common by all Evangelical Christian
denominations should exert their in
fuence on the minds and manners of
those who might attend. With this
nucleus for an Observation-Disclosures
several attempts were made at diff
ferent times to erect building and
carry out the desire of the founder,
Mr.. Stephenson; but owing to the
war and the continued depressed con-
dition of the people, nothing was ac-
complished until within the last three
or four years.
On the 21st day of May, 1888, a
certificate of incorporation was OBJ
tanned fro.-l the Secretary of State for
the'' John Stephenson Female Sem
mary This four acres of land was
conveyed to said incorporation, which
has erected thereon large four-story
brick building, roomy and complete
in all its arrangements. On. the 1st
Ct 9et2esF last taa Beg 6 q kr as4R=
stitute, and teacher Of forty year
experience, took charge of the insti=
tuition which is now known as the
John Stephenson Female Seminary.
With an efficient corps of teachers
and carefully prepared curriculum,
he opened the first session of his
school with forty-six day SCHOLARS
and twelve boarders, and with the
pleasant prospect of rapid and per-
manent increase. Thus, after twenty
four years of suspense, the gift of the
noble founder is beginning to bring
its reward. Already success attends
the institution, and the people of our
county have within themselves edu-
cational advantages second to none.
Situated in the centre of jefferson
county, ON the line of the Baltimore
and Ohio and Shenandoah Valley
railroads, it is readily accessible to
all the neighboring counties and
States. In community that never
fails to charm the stranger, and in a
locality which never fails to preserve
or to restore health, its advantages in
that respect should not he underesti-
mated The considerations that gen
orally determine parent in the Sc
lection of school for his daughters
are esteemed to be health, accessible
ity, discipline, educational facilities,
experience and economy. No insti-
tuition within our knowledge embraces
these desiderata more completely
than this one.
We spoke above of its beautiful
situation. From the windows of the
Institute building one can command
an unobstructed view of the sur
rounding country. To the east,
above the rolling hill and dale and
but few miles distant, rises the Blue
Ridge mountains, trending to the
gate of the Shenandoah Valley at
Harper's Ferry, where NIonticello's
sage, enthuscd by the beauty of the
prospect, is said to have penned his
Notes on Virginia. Wherever the
eye may reach from this spot, it
dwells upon landscape of impress
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