The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-20
VIRGINIA COLLEGE or ROANOKE
a Successor to the Wesleyan
Female Institute.
DR.. w. A. Harris, of stnunton, Va, Estab-
fishes an Educational Institution In
Roanoke Which Is an Outgrowth OF a
Mont Successfully Conducted School.
Detailed Description of tho Plans

In the Virginia College for Young
Ladies DR.. w. A. Harris, the eminent
educator, will present to Roanoke it's
browning ornament, and to the wide
and diversified natural resources OF the
city gem Of instruction will be added.
In the maelstrom Of mechanical, agri-
cultural, mineral, railroad and mercan-
tile interests, the wise Of the city should
pause for moment to think of the
incalculable benefit to be derived from
this school, as the patronage of this
institute will bring forth educators for
their children, ladies for their oom-
panlons and helpmates in their
struggles. Such school will be the
keystone of the city's prosperity. Be-
hind the wall of education the city will
have increased attractiveness for visi-
tors and corresponding increase in
trade, as Virginia College. with it's
students, will annually pour $4,000
into the Golfers of Roanoke's store
keepers.
1t is certainly compliment that DR..
Harris should have selected Roanoke
as the field for his future educational
"OAh' FAbhih low mlnuCe9 rlQ0 OF
their homes the citizens will have one
OF the finest schools of tho South, where
the superior advantages OF literary and
moral culture may be enjoyed.
such home as will be furnished by
Or. Harris, and his faculty Of twenty
i've officers and teachers for collegiate
culture and refinement will be bless
ing, not only to the hundreds of yeung
ladies' who will attend this school from
all parts OF the country, but equally to
the people OF Roanoke, as it will make
the clty far more desirable as place OF
residence.
1t is the aim of DR.. Harris to make
his institute, both as to les buildings
and faculty, an ideal college for young
ladies', where they can find all the con-
veniences of an elegant home. The Vir-
GINA College cannot be regarded rs q
new school, for its founder is now pre-
sident OF the Wesleyan Female Insti-
tute ut Staunton, Va, which has gained
national reputation under his manage
ment, and now has one hundred and
forty boarding pupils from twenty diff
ferent States, with teachers and methods
OF instruction OF the highest order.
Virginia College, under DR.. Harris
guiding hand, will begin its career with
the same advantages that would attend
the opening OF the oldest schools in the
country. The department. OF English
language and literature will be in the
hands Of teachers who are expressly
trained for this work. Art, elocution,
calisthenics, PHI sical culture and oil or
namental branches will be in the hands
| or experienced specialists. Vocal and
| instrumental music will be directed by
distinguished teachers. With such high
| advantages in all that pertains to wom-
| anly culture and refinement, parents
who wish to educate their daughters
cannot find moro desirable college
nome for them than in this school, for
IL Will combine every possible sanitary
precaution with it's educational facili-
ties.
The selection OF it's site Is in itself a
| criterion OF the wisdom OF it's protector,
for from tho miniature plateau of 10
| acres, in the centre of which the college
will be located, the eyes can feed upon
| ceaseless succession of magnificent
pictures. The campus Is Natures art
gallery, and that deified artist has
welded his brush with grand and lib
| eral and-mellowtinted hills are
backed by giant mountains whose weird
ana solemn grandeur is relieved by vel
low riffs OF color, where the picturesque
| gorges breathe in the golden sun, upon
| which the Kaleidoscope scenery feeds.
Every invention and improvement
| Will be used to procure unequaled sani-
ltary arrangements for the school.
These, added to its elevated location in
the centre of tract of land universally
conceded to be the most healthful in the
United States, will make this institu-
tion one OF natures sanitariums In
the construction of the building DR..
Harris has as his coadjutors the WE'LL
known architects, Wilson & Higgins,
whose plans and specifications bear evil
dences OF light, space, heat and comfort.
The school will DO four stories in.
height and will have frontage OF 22S
feet, with two wings extending to a
depth of LOG feet; the porch from which
the hall is entered will be 16x5O feet in
size; the first floor will contain two of
hceS, eight lecture rooms, a laboratory,
study hall sixteen music rooms, kitchen
pantries, toilet, store and housekeeper's
rooms There will be four flights OF
stairs to the second floor. which will con-
tain two parlors, splendid chapel, 66x4o,
twenty bed rooEis and two toilet rooms.
The third floor contains twenty. five bod
| rooms, also toilet rooms. Three rooms
on the fourth floor are devoted to art,
the largest of which is 25x4S feet, also
an infirmary consisting OF 8 general
ward and four rooms for contagious
diseases. The latter are so arranged as
to be entirely isolated.
Ample provisions have been made for
tie protection Of occupants in case OF
hre, as large water main will run
| through the center hall connecting on
each floor with hose 100 feet in length,
by which means fire in any part of
the house can be egtinguished imme-
diately. On each floor in the rear OF the
the building will be broad veranda $50
feet in length. The entire structure
| will be heated with hot water and viii