The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-17

The laying of the cornerstone of the
new Virginia Mechanics Institute, at
Eleventh and Broad Streets. Tuesday at
ternoon, brings again before the public
this splendid institution. which through
many years in its quiet and thorough
way .las been of so much good to the
young men of Richmond who have sought
instruction within it's class-rooms
The alumni of this institution are nu-
merous in the city, and not only here, but
in many cities throughout the country,
there are found men at the heads of great
mechanical departments III industrial
plants of every kind, who received their
early training at this institution.
The procession Oh Tuesday afternoon,
which will pass down Broad Street from
the Masonic Temple to the site of the new
building, will be largely composed of
alumni and students OF the Institute, and
will we'll show its strength i'll the city. At
this time a brief history of the institu-
ton, which has now grown to such in
flucncc and usefulness and is about to be-
gin its future session under circumstances
and surroundings more advantageous, will
prove of interest.
INSTITUTION DESTROYED.
The Virginia Mechanics Institute was
i'll operation before the war. but was de-
stroycd III the evacuation of Richmond,
in April, 1860 From that time until 1854
there was no such institution in this city,
but in December of that year it was re-
vivcd at a meeting held in what was then
the Builders Exchange, on Eleventh and
, Main Streets
Ia, I,;, rn1
that the chairman appoint committee
to constitute a board to prepare a. plan
for the conduct of the institute. apply for
a charter. solicit aid from the City Coun-
ell and take all other necessary steps for
the carrying out of the plan This COM
mlttce met January s. 1885. Present: Geo.
A. Ainslic, chairman; Thomas Elicit, Soc
rotary; John OFT, Ashton Starke, w. T..
SimonS 7. Wiley Davis. Thomas N Page,
w. NJ. Archer, Lyon 6. Tyler, Oycrton
Howard, W. II. HiGham. At this meet
ing tho constitution and bylaws were
read adopted by the committee and
reported to an adjourned meeting held
January 20, 1881, when the following Of
ficers and board of manag gers were elect
cd: George y. AinsIc, president; Ashton
treasurer; Thomas Elicit, Secretary; Thos.
\. Carter, John OFT, Lyon g. Tyler, Jos.
Hall, Preston Bevin. NJ. j. Dmmock, j..
j. Montague r. Wiley Davis, Overton
Howard VIM. L. Sheppard, w. j. West
wood, w r. HiSham, Thos. N. Page, Jos.
w Thomas L. r. Archer, DR.. Charles II.
Chalklcy James c. Lamb, Joseph b.
Welsh, Lewis Ginter, Harry Is. Owen, l.
S. Tower.
FIRST APPROpRIArH-N
The city of Richmond m:t,'c its first
appropriation OF SCOT III the budSe- OF
March. 1885.
On September 18TH l,>5. Mr.. C'EcrtCn
Howard az chairman CT lie Committee
81 Schools, made Il report, outlying the
studies to be pursued and list of teach
ers necessary. October LIST, 1855, first ses-
sion began with following Instructors:
Overtou Howard, mathematics; Lyon
G.. Tyler, mathematics; Thos. p. Howard,
bookkeeping: W. r. EIigham. architect
ural drawing; a. NJ. T. Bilingslea, me-
cllanical drawing; VIM. L. Sheppard, free
hand drawing.
Following is a list of the number of
matricula tons since organization:
Session 1SS4-S5 13i Session 1886 1856