The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-25
Nothing Spared to Make
Lane Johnston Insti-
tute Complete.
CHARACTER BUILDING
ONE OF THE OBJECTS
Institution Gift of the Late Mrs.
Harriet Lane John
Ston.

Final steps viii be taken within the
next week or ten days for Organiza-
ton of the National Cathedral for Boys
and Choir School in the Lane-JOhnstOn
Memorial Building on the Cathedral
Close, which has just been made ready
for occupancy. Earl L Gregg, for
nine years at Racine College, Wiscon-
sin, has been selected as head master.
The first term viii open October Z, 1909.
Nowhere in the country viii there be
found a better equipped boys school
than this one which will be operated
under direction of the authorities Of the
Episcopal diocese Of Washington
The late Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston.
niece of President James Buchanan,
bequeathed $500, 600 TO the Washington
Cathedral for the foundation Of
school for boys Provision was made
that one-hatf Of this be used for the
construction OF a structure 10 be Snwn
as the Lane Johnston Building ana the
other half 10 be invested as an enooW-
Taeut fund 10 be known as the Lane
Johnston fund, the income OF whleh
was TO be for the maintenance OF the
school. One Of the INSTITUTION 90
iects as expressed IN the WILL IS Ine
education and training Of choir boys
primarily for those in the service Of
the Cathedral
The bequest was made as memorial
10 Mrs Johnston's two dead children
James Buchanan Johnston, who died
March >. 1881. aged fifteen years, ana
Henry Elliott Johnston. who died Cc-
tober 80, 1882. aged thirteen years
Investigated Schools.
The Bishop of Washington, in pur-
suance with the Inquest and with the
wishes of Mrs. johnson, made known
To him before her death, appointed a
committee to investigate the schools
here and in England, with view that
the money be used to the best possible
advantage. II was decided at the out
SET thz.t the school should be American
IN ever particular, but It was found
necessary to investigate the English
system because there is no such thing
in the United States as a combined
choir school ana boys school
With the assistance of the principals
Of GrOtOn- St Mark 5, and other we'll
known Institutions for the education OF
bovs. plans were drawn for the struc-
fure by York < Sawyer. architects. or
New York Drawings were then SUD
mitted TO DIT Peabody. OF Groton, ana
others, and re-aTranged by them 10 con-
form TO their ideals
result The exterior is of blue granite
All New Ideas.
It is Z shaped, and its appearance Is
dignifed and in keeping with the gen.
eFal plans that have been made for
other buildings within the Cathedral
reservation. The interior carries out
an entirely new idea IN boys school
building, however. Old Flemish oak
and plain dull colOred walls are used
center of the north side opens immedi-
ately into a large reception han, back
of which extends the middle tongue OF
the Z. This particular section has been
fitted up for the headmaster, and II is
here that he has his offices and living
quarters. he has private entrance
and stairway. and while he is within
the building he is yet IN separate
wing TO himself
At either end of the building on the
main entrance floor are classrOoms with
smaller rooms between In the first
besement-the structure being placed on
the side of a hill and has two Easements
lis the big dining room and adjoining
II the serving room. in front Of the
kitchen. Tie dormitorles are on the
floor above the main, or entrance. floor
with suite for the matron, large
sewing room, lockers for each pupil
and rooms for the masters.
Unique Dormitories.
The dormitories are unique. being a
series of large alcoves into which the
beds VIII be set There are two OF
these rooms with accommodations foi
fifty boys. A large alcOve near the doOl
IS arranged for the master ia charge OF
that particular form and he has the
switches controlling all the lights IN
the dOrmitDry. he is also provided witt
a study. The matron has a sitting room
= bedroom. and a private bath
The innUnary and the servants quar-
tiers are located on the top floor. Their,
is one large ward completely isolated
from the remainder OF the building by
double doors and smaller private wards
large gymnasium Is III the sub-base
ment and opens out on the recreation
ground. The heating plant is on th'
hoor with the gymnasium, as is also Z
series of large stOreroOms.
The school viii accommodate eighty
FIVE boys, thiTty-fiVe Of whom must b,
day pupils the other fifty boarders
Its object will be TO build character fol
American citizenship AMI TO dt boys
for college. The courses will vary IL
accordance with the age and previou
training OF the pupil. Lads as young a.
Ten or eleven years of age viii De &C
ceDted. The utmost care viii be 0bserv
ed in securing teachers or masters
Only men OF proven ability will be ac
cepted.
Headmaster Expert.
The headmaster. Mr. Gregg. is be
lieved By Bishop Harding and his as
sistants TO BE- the best man in the coun
- a.