Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-07-30
WEST BRATTLEBoRo AcADENY.


ed notice and recommendation. The adver.
tisetnent appears under the heading OF "Glen
wood Classical Seminary, and few, we ven.
ture to say, even Of cur own townsmen, are
aware Of the fact that It's corporate title,
when chartered near three generations ago,
was "Brattleborough Academy, or the Asylum
OF Youth"
Upon whose petition the charter for this
school was originally granted, does not appear
in the official records but, from the fact that
of the ten original trustees six only we're real
dents Of Brsttleboro Zone being from Gull
ford one from Marlboro, one from Putney,
and one from Hinsdale, N II }, II would seem
that il was to a certain extent cooperative
movement and that the institution was de-
signed to meet the want, at least, Of this and
all the Immediately surrounding towns, being
situated centrally with radius OF 20 miles
more or less in extent, whore the graduates
from the district schools might receive such
supplementary education az would enable
them TO teach creditably in such schools, or
pursue other than the agricultural calling sue.
cessfully-as surveying, or mercantile life, or
at for a collegiate course. That such was its
designed mission seems clear, and that il has
successfully performed its chartered work will
not be disputed. Believing that brief trac-
| ing OF the history Of this time-honored edu-
| cational institution may help to fuller ap-
probation Of It, we venture the prominent
points.
The legislative act establishing the school
bears date Nov 4, A. d. 1901. How the origi.
nal building was erected does not appear in
the records nor exactly when, but probably
the funds we're raised by subscription, as they
have been since when occasion has demanded
them. In 1884 two wings we're added TO the
original building, each l2El5 feet at cost
of 5000 which was contributed by individual
subscripton Funds we're likewise collected
in the same manner for the purchase OF phil
osophical apparatus in 1871, to the amount
Of $50.
In 1851 an effort was made to raise fund
of $40, 900 Ono subscription to be held until
$4,000 was secured) with which ito provide
buildings on an ample and commodious scale
for the accommodation of $50 scholars, with
corresponding extension of the curriculum OF
study. The sum OF So, O3G was secured and
expended in the present school building, then
situated TO the east Of the original Que. In
this was included the bequest OF william X.
Hayes, ESD, of $1,000. After the erection Of
the new building in 1853, another effort was
made TO secure the additional 5000, for the
following purposes to wit;
, l. To furnish the new building.
:: 2. To provide apparatus and books
] g. To erect boarding house.
e L. To provide a permanent fund for the
! maintenance of the school.
I T. To establish a female department on the
d basis Of the Mount H1lyoke female seminary.
8 Only about 5000 WAS secured for these
a PURPOSES aud OF this sum Samuel Clark, Ed
8 contributed for him self and sons $1,000, aud
e was thereupon voted two permanent schol-
. arships for himself and his heirs forever. '
!. | With these means the old academy building
> was in 1858 converted into boarding house.
y In 1859 the trustees leased the premises 10
e Mr. Hiram Orcutt, who the following yer
d erected at his own expense the E ttt building,
y now situated between the New Academy build
/ ing aud the Congregational church. This
l. lease was for term Of ten years, III consld, t.
y ration of bis making it "a young ladies school
n and also maintaining apart from the same, but
= in the same village, a school Tor lads in which
n the like facilities shorld be afforded ~ had
y been afforded by the old academy prior there
III to-" Since this time the school has borne the
name OF "Glenwood"
In 1861 the school received fund OF $1,000
{, by b, quest Of Samuel Clark, + q, the income
/, from which was to go toward tue education
- OF boys. The school for boys was discOntin-
. ued by consent of the trustees IN 1863 but In
- 1871 the accumulated income Of the CLARK
he fund was appropriated to class taught 10y
ut Miss Annie Circuit, at a fixed rate Of tuition
for each.
pc The ten years lease to Mr.. circuit having
er expired, one for five years was given to Mr..
Ralph L HOsfoId on similar terms. Thi-
"a Nas surrendered by him to the trustees il
IS 1873. In 1874 Mr.. V. L. Lang became prin
Ss cipal of the school, under contract with the
81 trustees and conducted it with satisfaction t.
them aud credit TO himself until his decea5,
10 | in 1876.
II The premises we're neIt leased to Mr.. G l.
q Linsley for the term Of one year, but sool
after this lease was transferred, with consen
s9 of trustees, to J. W. Cross, jr., who held /
till the expiration of the year
In 1879 the trustees agreed to lease th
premises to Mr.. C. E. Blake on condition tha
es he purchase the East Hall (the building erect
il ed by Mr.. OrcutD and that he keep "a schoo
m. OF the academy grade, for the instruction O
III youth of both sexes, according to its origi
he nal design. This lease given for ttru
a Of 10 years.
~ On the 18th of April, 1851, the trustee
a granted TO Mr.. Blake permission to trausft
,lp his lease to any party who could fulfil the TO
m. lowing conditions
-, 81 He must be a Christian man, intereste
i've in Christian work, and his life and exampl
ar such as Christian mans should be. Ii
IL must conduct the school in manner ident
VOC fed with the interests OF the Congregation,
his church of this place, with the understandin
an that this latter clause shall be construed in
an sectArian spirit.
"2. He must have the power TO a reasoni
hat BILE degree Of drawing in pupils, instruetin
100 and retaining them"
ais Pursuant TO these expressed conditions, o
"a the first day OF August 1881, the trusle,
consented TO the transfer of MIR. Blake's lea,
hey to Mr.. H. II. Shaw of Mortified, VT Oh
en- present principally, for the remainder of i
, pe 81 ecihed term.
hai Just prior TO this last transaction the soho,
that suffered the loss of the only fund it possesst
the by the failure OF the First National bank
Brattleboro. Besides the total loss of tue il
~ vestment the trustees, in common with th
other stockholders, were called upon for
assessment Of near $500, which was raised
I'm the usual way-by contributions. In Is,
the old academy building was taken down al
art disposed of.
ub The school stands TO day without any fun,
ek. and dependent wholly upon its receipts +,
srAl tuition. but with an earnest, faithful aud il
of defatigable principal, who will spare no pal
day to make profitable the coming term and no
eeT success in the five years past is sufficient Wa
lgi- ranty that all reasonable expectations will
led. realized. We believe 1t is true that no undo
mer taking so largely depends for success upt
Of individual qualities as a school. EVerythm
art focalizes around its principal No ord.nA
talents ever make assured success som
thing special is required, and without it
man distinguishes himself in such proft
sion. To the pupils of a generation al
Principal Roswell Harris fills their ideal
the accomplished tutor and Christian gent
man. lie not only commanded their respet
but their reverence and as the years ha
gone, and he has passed beyond the veil,
mud he commanded most of all our aftctio
SO doubtless it may be said of the prese
competent head. 1t has been our pleasure
eteT, be present at the last three commencement
>, L. al Glsnwoo1 and No o., ,,,hTII,, 90, ,
have each year been more and more gratlh
a. with the evidences Of good and faithful prf
Ten ticsl work. We would urge upon the YOU
!. H. men and women of Windham county, who d
IN A. looking forward TO the autumn term and p,
chance to some full course, to well consld
uh h. he aNU4 Al
4. academical institute do not more fully nlt
their want, under the present mauageme
and system, than some others of dilere
grade or more exclusive policy. We speak
VII. those who have here, in former years, reaiz
, Ed the benefits whereof we discourse.
2 A. 1t is matter of regret that the names
"'n the pupils Of this institution in all the pI
Ia mol 10 Il. 4 Il