The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-11-18

the brick structure, the "New Academy, to
fulfill its duty educational center until
the spring of 1915. nearly 70 years. We all
have most distinct memories of this building
Let us hope the "Peirce School, will have as
many honorable birthdays. The cost of the
New Academy" was $22O0 we'll above the
average cost of schools of that period. 1t
served the original purpose of an Academy
until 1852. when it was rendered to the town
for public school purposes 1t has been a
primary schoolhouse from that date to this
year So it is that most of us who have
been long residents have either been scholars
here or our parents were our children or
grandchildren have been or will be. have a
list of the pupils at Belfast Academy in 1897
and lS3S.-l52 names enrolled. These have
been heretofore printed in, The Republican
Journal Our fathers and mothers, our grand
fathers and grandmothers were there in many
instances. My own mothers name appears in
the 1888 catalogue and my father attended a
year or two earlier as I've frequently heard
him say. In the 1888 list appears the name of
our late fellow citizen, Judge Williamson to
whom. more than to any other person, we are
indebted for much of our early history that
would otherwise soon be forgotten. l have
taken occasion to use facts and dates from his
first History of Belfast; also from Whites His
tory of Belfast.
think it well that our citizens should realize
the important service done in the planning and
perfecting of this building. as well as in other
school projects. by the Committee on New
School Buildings. They certainly deserve our
gratitude and personally can see how their
constant oversight has made for the perfec-
tion and thoroughness SO manifest in the Peirce
school, Now. Mr.. Mayor, in behalf of this
Committee and of the Trustee, am very glad,
aAE +,,rr h,,s1l
to be used for school purposes. during it's term
of life.
Mayor Charles R. Coombs WAS then intro
of the city spoke as follows:
Acceptance by Mayor Coombs.
Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t is very agreeable
duty that falls to my lot on this occasion. We
nave met to dedicate this fine building, and to
give loving memory to the one who so gener-
ousiy made it possible for US to have it. We
are all aware that the City of Belfast. has long
been hampered and burdened with debt so that
it has been practically, impossible for the city
to raise the necessary money to build suitable
and up to date school houses for the public
schools. But blessed in SO much that
we have had, as citizens of Belfast, many
magnanimous and public spirited men and
women, citizens who could look ahead and
clearly see the needs of future generations
and who were pleased to leave behind them
lasting monuments of their love and loyalty to
their place of birth. by bequests for the public
good. Among these we can include the giver
of this school building, Lena Peirce Frederick.
And | trust that on each anniversary of the
dedica tion of this building, that suitable ex-
ercises will be observed. that will keep alive in
the hearts and minds of all future generations
of boys and girls the memory of the kindly and
magnanimous spirit that prompted this valua-
~ .Iofa Il lrr,ff rf Da1-
Frederick. And l feel that public deciara-
ton of appreciation should be given to Mr..
Frederick. for his aid and assistance in carrying
out the wishes of his wife, thereby making it
possible for the public to reap the benefit of
this new school house. Also word of appre-
citation for the great amount of labor and time
given by the committee, in planning and carry
ing out this good work. l overheard the State
Supt. of Schools, Hon. Payson Smith, say that
this was the best primary school house in the
State of Maine, il not in New England. There
fore we can well be proud of it. And now, in
behalf of the City of Belfast. it gives me great
pleasure to accept, this generous gift, and
speaking for the citizens of Belfast, one and
all, extend a most hearty appreciation. and
most grateful thanks to the memory of Lena
Peirce Frederick. And also thanks to MIR.
Frederick, and the committee.
Rev. A. A. Blair. chairman of the school
committee. said that the buiiding was beauti-
full monument to enc who had the welfare of
the children of Belfast at heart. He hoped it
might prove an incentive to others of means
to do likewise. He made special plea for
closer cooperation between parents and teach-
ers. He hoped that the building might be a
social center for the general up-lift of the
boys and girls.
Orlando E. Frost, chairman of the building
committee. paid touching tribute to the mem
ory of Mrs. Frederick and called attention to the
beautiful portrait of her in the corridor He
spoke of the vicissitudes of the building COM
mittee in the past five years or SO in their ef-
forts to provide better school buildings for
Belfast. and the many disappointments, but
said tnat it was not entirely discouraged and
hoped that some benefclent citizens would
come to their aid.
William B. Woodbury., superintendent of the
Belfast schools. voiced the gratitude and testi-
fed to the appreciation OF teachers and pupils
in this gift of school building in which the
lighting, heating and ventilation are the best
that modern ingenuity and experience could
furnish. He believed that it would be much easi-
er to reach the child and appeal to its esthetic
side through beautiful surroundings as in this
building.
The program closed with another selection