The Washington times., 1913-11-15
WOMAN ARCHITECT
FOR GIRLS SCHOOL
Plans Drawn For New Home Of
Mount Vernon Seminary-To
Cost $150,Q00.

Plans have been prepared for a new
Mt. Vernon Seminary to be located near
Nebraska avenue and Massachusetts
avenue northwest on a tract of forty
seven acres purchased last May by
Mrs. E. J. Sommers, director of the
present school at 100 NJ street north
west. The proposed structure will cost
about sl50.0oO, and will be one of the
most palaIial of the many girls schools
in the city. Miss Theodate Pope, of
New York city. one Of the most notable
figures in architectural circles IN the
country, has charge of the plans.
Building will begin soon. The con-
tract calls for the completion of the
building year from the coming Christ
mas
The area to be built on is one of the
highest and most pleasant stretches in
the District. It is near the grounds
owned by the American University and
is properly located on the corner of
Forty-third and Sedgwick streets north
west.
Feature the Colonial.
The architecture of the future Mt.
Vernon Seminary will feature the coll
onial, which will adequately carry out
the name and traditions of the school
Sixteen columns will feature the I'M
posing front and these will rise TO a
height of two stories en- the main IA
cade, lending the chief characteristic Of
colonial homes which has made the Lee
mansion, Mt. Vernon and other notable
colonial mansions, famous.
Colonial brick will be used through
out in the outer structure. The new
school will consist in scheme of a
main building with two wings to its
rear inclosing three sided quad
rangle. The lot will measure 200 front
by 800 feet depth.
The acres adjoining the school will
be laid out as a park, most of the
natural features of the property,
which has never been improved. being
retained. A vast recreation park will
thus be provided for the girIs of the
school On a slope in tn s tract an
open air natural amphitheater will be
laid out, where the girls will hold their
entertainments and commencement ex-
ercises, and visiting players will per-
form. Artificial lakes and so-cailed
pleasant places" tn bowers. and
rustic corners will be literally intro
school as attractive as possible.
When the visitor enters the ground
floor of the three-story structure she
will find herself in an elabortely ap-
pointed reception room where general
receptions and social functions of the
the administration offices. postoffice, a
study hall, the main faculty dining
room and the French dining room. The
main feature of the ground floor will
be Vernon Hall, the social gathering
place for the girls of the school. A
spacious gymnasium. and class rooms
will occupy this floor.
On Second Floor.
Double bedrooms, a Junior and a
senior club room will be found on the
second floor as well as a space to be
known as the isolation end.
Dormitories and studies for the piana-
forte. painting, drawing, and singing,
will be contained i'll the top and quiet
est floor Of the school.
4 power house designed TO be located
short distance TO the rear OF the
main building will provide space for
the nachinery, a laundry and servants
quarters.
Mrs. Sommer's present school for
girls 1T the corner of Eleventh and
NJ streets northwest, is one OF the old
est and most fashionable of girls
schools in the District. Its appoint
ments are said to be OF the most elab-
crate in the city, and its enrolment to
contain girls who come to study in
Washington from all parts of the
country, representing the wealthiest and
most fashionable families in the United
States.