New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-04


Hudson River. is surrounded by the homes of the
Gouds. Wizards, Ingersolls McClellands. Depevs.
Fields. BARRIERS. McComhs. Thomases Diapers.
Browns, Wildes. Salisburys. MARS. McVickars,
Williamsons, Bradleys and others whose names are
equally familiar. Among the mansions whose
owners pay taxes for the maintenance of this school
the Ardsley Casino. with its ten-acre park and
adjacent buildings; all the property of the Ardsey
Club of which Philip Schuyler is president; Aga
wan the aboriginal name of the eminence,, Gen
eral Samuel Thomas Estherwood, j. Jennings Nc
Comb; Beacon Hill. Dr. James L. Salisbury and
Ardsey Towers, AMI l.. Barber These all
situated in the midst Of what was the Manor OF
PhHsbuTg, we'll known in Revolutionary annals
The British concentrated their forces here after
their dearly bought victory at White Plains five
miles to the east
The new building. which formally dedicated
with appropriate ceremonies Tuesday last. is a
two-story and basement fancy brick and stone
structure, costinr. with the property on which it
stands about $4,000 The building was designed
by c. Powell Kari. of New-York City. whose plans
have included every improvement appca BILE to the
purpose. 1T Is steam heated. lighted by electricity
ventilated by the latest improved method, and as
near hreproof : possible for a school building
to be made The effect of the first story treatment
is Italian renaissance, with Colonial trimmings and
mansard roof. surmounting which is large cunola
The three entrances-main. north and south-are OF
bluestone and terra Gotta. The interior is divided
into ten class rooms. with boys and girls clothing
rooms, several large halls, library teachers
room a room for the of the members of the
Board OF Education, and an assembly-room. all Of
which are finished in Louisiana red cypress. with
metallic ceilings Each Is lighted and has separate
heating and ventilating apparatus. Electric bells
and speaking tubes connect the principals office
with other parts of the building. The main
semby room Is arranged like theatre, with stage.
footlights. dome light and so forth. The room is
separate one-story addition 10 the west Of the
building on a level with the main floor. In the roof
Is large skylight, assuring ample sunlight. while
over hundred electric lights have been
ranged illuminate the place at night.
The second floor is reached by two stairways-
at either end Of the main hall. Here are SIX
classrooms Each has automatic indicator
which regulates the heating OF the room by open
ing or closing the furnace doors may be re-
quired to keep even temperature
The third floor Is net fully completed yet. but
will be in a short time. Here Is large steam fan
| by which pure air is distributed throughout the
| school When finished this floor will be used
| storeroom.
| Up one more fight of stairs and the cupola is
| reached. From this magnificent view Of the sur
= rounding country may be had.
| In the cupola is clock given by j. Jennings Ne
| Comb who also gave a clock for each room in the
| building all Of which regulated to standard
time by an automatic system from the master
| clock SO called, which is in the assembly room.
i This is not Mr. McCombs first public gift. He has
| done much toward the advancement of educate
! In Dobbs Ferry. being a member Of the Board Of
| Education and the owner of two local private
academies-one for boys the other for girls. West
| minister" conducted by w. l.. Cushing A. M. pro-
vides instruction for boys In the grades from pri-
mary 10 collegiate Three large houses compose
| the Miss Masterss school for girls. Mr. McComb
also maintains the only public library in the vii
! lage.
| HOW THE PRESENT SCHOOL WAS FORMED.
The first union free school in Dobbs Ferry ac-
! cordng TO records in the possession of Presi-
dent Mcclellan. organized March 49, 1855.
Two years before however public school was
| held In Broadway, near Ashford-ave. II is also
known that public school existed previous to this
| time the site OF what is now the Greenburg
| House As no records were kept no one knows
| when this school opened how long It ex-
| listed. Its principal was NJ. K.'Couzens
| In 1895 the present Board of Education found the
| Main-st school lacking in accomnodat tons. Ac-
cordingly the Board applied to the taxpayers Of the
district for appropriation Of 10000 to erect a
new schoolhouse. which granted. question
then arose as TO suitable site, and whether not
the appropriation sufficient TO construct a
building worthy Of the surroundings. An additional
appropriation Of $1,000 made making a total
/ OF so 900 in 1885
Work was begun soon after, in October As 1t
went on, Changes were made ana the Board again
found themselves short of money. So at the annual
meeting last August, they submitted two PROPOSE
lions TO the people-apDroprate $1,000 or a,i-
/ thorize the sale Of the Old school in Msn-st The
latter plan was adopted. and the building and prop
erty sold TO George e. Todd for $sNn This
and 800 which had been voted for repairs 10 the
! old schooi-though never made-and the interes,
from the sale of the bonds transferred 10 me
| building account of the school. making over
| $1,000, not including Mr. McComb's Gift and the
new furniture. yet to he bought.
| Back Of the schoolhous is the old Appleto IN
mansion, which may soon he opened as a public
, building and free reading room. Already the sl,b-
jet is being discussed. and many are in favor OF II
President Iccle.land says thlt the prospccis are
! that the library will be formed within short time
| by private subscription.
The members Of the Board OF | ducation are them
selves wei known In Westchester County Tnrv
are Charles +. McCielland. president: DR. Lessons
Hasbrouck. James Fraser, J. Jennings Ncf 'ou,,b
| Peter J. Carpenter, William r. Brown and Thomas
1 j. Mccabs. district clerk
! The faculty is composed OF Wayne c. Fox pr,pci
| pal; Miss II T. Shaw. assistant principal Mis-
! Florence Lyon Miss Frances O Maher Miss Mar
| l.. Jewell. Miss Martha Il. Davidson. Miss r l.
] Hart, Miss X. A. Pausen and Miss Il. a. Gibbons