The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-10-01

duced Dill IN the senate providing 10l
| the establishment of an industrial school
| for girls. This bill became a law in Feb
ruary. 1893 The bill provided that the
act should be in full force from and af-
ter January !. 1895.
Accordingly the Alabama Girls Indus
trial school was located at Montevallo on
January /. 1896, and was opened to the
girls of the state on October u follow
ing.
The town of Montevallo donated "a acres
of land and the public school building a
large brick structure now used for the
chapel and recitation rooms. This was
one of the oldest buildings in the town
and one of the historic buildings of the
state
This building was erected in 1851 for the
FMontevalo Male institute. The brick for
its construction was manufactured with
in 100 feet of the building by Mr. Shelley,
father of Gen. Charles NJ Shelley. Cen
eral Shelley. who was a young man at
the time, helped to Law the brick in the
construction.
After the establishment of the Indus
trial school the presidency was offered to
Miss Tutwiler, but she declined. At the
suggestion of Governor Oates Capt. II.
| C. Reynolds. merchant of Montevallo,
was made the first president
The institution has had hard struggle
and only within the past few years has
It been given the support and apprecia-
ton that it deserves.
DR. Palmer came to the presidency
about five years ago from the state uni
versty, where he had been a member of
the faculty for % years He has a great
sympathetic heart and a peculiar exeou-
tive ability His whole interest is In the
school and he has worked hard and faith
fully for it's success.
This brief article can review but a small
part of the great work that is being done
here for the education of the girls of
Alabama But when occasion arises in
the future this writer aims to assist in
bringing the people of Alabama to more
fully appreciate the worth of this wor-
| thy institution.
| The last legislature appropriated $3.50.
| 600 to the Montevallo school, This was
very helpful lin improving the plant and
making additional room, but more is
needed to accommodate the growing de-
mands of students.
| The new dormitorv is the most imposing
structure on the campus. 1t is a large
brick building consisting of three wings
connected by cross halls 1t contains
the library. administrative offices par
lors, reception halls, large dining room
and 225 bed rooms The bed rooms are
large. well lighted and we'll ventilated.
They are lighted by electricity and are
steam heated. There is hot and cold
water and sanitary sewerage. 1t is said
that there is not a better or more COM
| Portable school dormitory in the state.
| There are IA exits to the building with
all doors swinging outward. The build
| ing is provided with the latest improved
Kirker- Bender fire escapes as we'll as
ladder systems.
| A modern Fish's roraty baking over
has just been installed in a baking room
| that is said to be one of the most SAM
tary and best arranged in the country.
| The present water supply Is brought
| by gravitation from fine spring on the
mountain near by, but a new concrete
tank with 100000 gallon capacity is being
built to increase the supply and improve
the fire protection. Fire hydrsnts are
| now being placed in all parts of the
grounds.
The power plant which supplies the
electricity, steam heat and power neces-
sary for the entire school system is one
of the best of the kind in the state. II
| Is provided with smoke consuming fur.
naces and all the machinery Throughout
is of the most modern type.
A new steam laundry handles ths
school laundry This building is large
well lighted and ventilated and IL
equipped with all the most modern ma
chinery.
| A modern concrete dairy barn, with
large sio is nearing completion. Thu
school has a large herd Of choice dair,
cows This dairy supplies the school will
pdre milk and butter and Is also uset
for the demonstration of the best meth
DDS OF handling the product. This is con
sidered as one of the most valuable ad
juncts of the school.
The school has q large and valuabl
farm of over 800 acres. Part of the Ian
is cultivated in food and garden prod
ucts for the use of the school. Most Q
the meat consumed In the school Is pro
duced on the farm, as we'll as most o
the fruits and vegetables.
After well arranged course in ace
demic studies the following technics
studies are provided:
% Art drawing, painting and design
ing, t2) vocal music, 90 instruments
music, "a commercial, bookkeeping
stenography. typewriting. telegraphy, Z
domestic art. sewing, millinery, dress
making, GO domestic economy, cooking
chemistry of foods, "a dairying,
physical culture, 80 manual training.
, The officers and teachers of the scho
, are Thomas w. Palmer, president; Am
Kennedy. history Mary fGoode Stal
worth, mathematics; Virginia Witner
|