The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-31

fairs in connection with tho public
schools of a county was frs, con.
cel'ed by the Virginia Federation OF
Wohena Clubs during the winter Of
l9o'-S- Alter mature consideration a
aehhite plan for such fairs Wis drawn
up and adopted by the federation.
foilow!ns this action. The Van Dyke
League. OF Lynchburg, Va, one Of the
i'aerated CLUBS, rendered to w. L. Gar
pee, DIVISION superintendent OF schools
'oF Campbell county, its assistance In
working ny such a fair. Mr.. Garbee.
peHeVlnS he saw an opportunity to
correlate the work of the school room
vain the environment of the pupils
anu other great possibilities for good
10 ms schools in such fair. accepted
lneiF oier. ~ school fair commI, tee
or trustees. teachers and public
, spirited citizens was then formed.
WIN the cooperation OF Miss Anna
l.. Jones and other members of the
van Dyke League. a prize liet was
made up prizes secured irom the mer-
chants OF Lynchburg. a school fair
' Ga tsioSue published and the teachers.
, pupils and parents OF the county were
urged to Cooperate in this work
AS result OF this we'll planned
.. Sahi@atlon end Its untirIns efforts.
inc hrst county school fair in Virginia
was heid at Rustburg. the county seat
or Campbell county, October %. 1908.
ms hrst fair was not a large one.
only twenty-four prizes were offered,
assresatins in value $40. One small
lury room in the courthouse easily
n ne,o the eNhibits Of corn, potatoes.
olach-eyc peas. bread, butter. hand
sewing and compositions that were
submitted by the school children In
composition FOR these prizes
me promoters OF this first fair felt
'crthcless, that their effort had
p1e" success Great movements
aeutiii3 start with small beginnings.
AS soon as tho 1908 fair was over
.hey began making plans for a larger
,aI N lvo': larger pri2e-list was
made out. Tho Lynchbure mercban MS
materially increased their fnnncisI
a'u, private citizens OF the county
t mace hDeral contributions; and the
county school Board, realizing that
lhis was 4 worthy educational work.
! maze substantial approximation.
When the exhibits came In for the
1907 iair the courthouse room would
NOT mold them and they had 10 be
.lahslerred 70 the largest building
iheh existing III the town.
How the Idea Grew.
The 1910 fair was an even greater
4 'i!c cSnlbltS showed q de-
cided Improvement in class OF work
manship and were so numerous that
no building could be found to hold
them. SO large tent was rented ana
stretched upon the court green. Tho
ialr mad now grown to such proper
'iohS' anu mad obtained such hold
upon the interest and pride of Camp
Del county people that, at the con-
cinsion of the 1910 fair, q movement
was started to build permanent
| school fair han. Funds for this pur-
pose were soon raised by generous
private contributions, by entertain
ments given in the schools and by a
isuppiemental appropriation by the
county. The school fair hall--a hand
some monument TO the generosity and
public spirit Of Campbell county peo-
| ple--was completed in time to be used
Tor the 1911 school fair. 1t is a two
story building. 44xss1-o feet The
lower story is an cxhibIt hall. and the
upper story is an auditorium for hold
ing the public exercises.
The Campbell County School Fair
OK 1911 was in keeping with It's new
land conamndious quarters, and far our