Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-02-26
THE PROCTOR Y. M. c. A.
Structure and Turned II Over TO
lts>Employes of the Y. M. c. A.

structure ana turned u over 10
lts>Employes of the Y. M. c. A.
The splendidly constructed and
handsomely appointed Y. M. 9. A.
and recreation building which has
been under construction during the
past few months is completed and was
turned over TO the Proctor T. NJ. G. A.
Saturday night, the 18th, by the Yer
mont Marble company. at whose ex-
pense and under whose direction It
has been built. There were no formal
opening exercises but 500 OF the en-
ployes and residents of Proctor with
their lady friends gathered to cele-
brate the event and were highly
pleased with the design of the building
and artistic arrangement of the
interior.
The idea of establishing Y NJ. C..
A. for its employees is original with the
Vermont Marble company, they being
the first industrial concern 10 take
such a step. Many railroads have
done similar work but the building at
Proctor is the only one erected by an
industrial concern for its men, and
this firm has also made a handsome
contribution towards its support
The structure is located west of the
railroad station and is one of the first
objects that greets the eye of the Wis
tor at Proctor. The lower half of the
building is OF Proctor marble, while
the upper half is frame work hand
somely finished. Two marble Chin
neys rise on either side and architec-
tnral designs give the structure a
! pleasing appearance. The building
was designed by A. G. Rockwell,
architect for the Vermont Marble com
pany, and was erected at cost OF
about $50, 900.
On entering the building a yestibule,
| finished in handsome Swanton marble
trimmed with Roxbury marble and
with a tile floor, is the first feature to
be admired The game room is To-
Gated In the northeast corner OF this
floor and is fitted up with great va
riety Of games A splendid piano has
also been installed here. The room is
IS by 10 - feet in size and is splen-
didly furnished and in one corner is a
handsome brick mantle fireplace,
capped by an expensive plate glass
mirror. This mantle is reproduced In
all the other large rooms in the build
ing.
No expense has been spared in
equipping the gymnasium and there is
no better apparatus in the state.
Glasses will be regularly conducted
under the direction OF competent
Instructor. Floors admirably adapted
10 basket ball and provisions for that
game have been made. The gymna-
stun is finished in hard pine and the
windows are so arranged as to furnish
an abundance OF light.
In the basement of the building are
located the baths. This particular
feature OF the structure is the result OF
an inspection of many OF the baths in
associations throughout the country
and to improve the arrangement
would be difficult indeed. The baths
are built of highly polished Proctor
marble. In the basement are also To-
Gated the billiard hall and the smok-
| ING room. The former contains two
pool tables and a billiard table will
probably be added later. The smok-
ing room is 10 a cosy corner, fur
nished with upholstered chairs, and
makes an ideal place for a friendly
smoke and chat. In the basement,
under the gymnasium, are two regu-
lation bowling alleys.
The entire building is lighted by
electric lights, is deliberately and
tasteiully furnished and will be a
monument to the Vermont Marble
company's sincere interest in the social
and physical welfare of their employees
and townspeople.
The Hon. Fletcher ID. Proctor, presi-
dent OF the Vermont Marble company,
who mad previously demonstrated his
consideration for the men in the EN-
ploy of the concern by establishing a
fully equipped hospital and we'll
stocked library, has devoted his per
sonal attention to this modern instl-
tuition devoted to the moral and phys
ical well-being of the employees OF the
Vermont Marble company, and the
institution is a credit to all concerned.