The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-12
NATIONAL PARK IN VERMONT
Is Suggested BY President Thomas OF
Middlebury College.

Middlebury college issued to-day q
bulletin containing the annual report o.
President John NJ. Thomas.
| Attention is called to the gift OF the
late Joseph Battell, Middlebury alum
nus and trustee, to the United State:
government of 1880 acres of Vermont
forest land for the purpose of nation.
/ al park. This land is situated in Lincoln
and Warren, on the main ridge of the
Green mountains. The long trail OF
the Green Mountain club extends the en-
tire length of the tract.
President Thomas suggests much
larger national park for Vermont. He
says:--
''If the United States accepts this de-
wise and establishes q national park in
Vermont, the project should be enlarged
to embrace much larger area of the
Green mountains. / venture to suggest
that an endeavor be made to include in
the proposed park a strip along the
height of land extending from the tract
devised by Mr. Battell southwards at
least as far as the highlands from Bran
don to Rochester. | have in mind the
crest of the ridge, extending down the
mountain on either side sufficiently to
allow construction of scenic highway
along the entire length. Such a Green
Mountain National park would admit of
a magnificent drive through the highest
and widest land in the state, command
ing views of both Lake Champlain and
the White mountains, and through most
of its length through grand virgin for
ests. 1t would speedily become one of
the most popular recreationai region in
the entire country. 1t would lend dis
tinetion to Vermont as a recreation re-
gion and benefit the entire state. With
in easy reach of the great centers of
population it would besof value to count,
less numbers who can not visit the ma
tional parks of the west.
Mr.. Battell's noble purpose should not
be allowed to fail, but should be en-
arged to meet the improved methods of
which have been effected
since his will was written. A national
park extending for twenty-five miles
llong the summit of our mountains APP
,roachahle at three points both from the !
asst and from the west from three main |
highways over passes of the Green noun |
aims, easily accessible therefore to all |
travellers by our main north and south |
tate roads, is something which should |
ppeal to every patriotic Vermonter, and
me might expect that the project would |
ommend itself to lovers of natural beau.
Y and of the great outdoors throughout
he entire nation. Middlebury college
would render notable public service if !
could in any way help toward the es
ablishment of such a park.
That part of the report concerning the
ollege shows clearly the healthy growth
the institution. Attendance, exelu
i've of the summer session, has increased I,
! the past eight years from 222 TO 372,
n increase of 80 per cent. The problem
ow confronting the college is not to
ecure attendance, but to provide ade
uate facilities and endowment.
In the past eight years PA acres of
md and nine buildings with total val
e of 1868. SAT % have been added to col
ge property, but the rapid growth of
ne college demands still larger facilities ,
nd endowment. New professorships as
ell as new buildings are needed, and a Il
illon dollar endowment is the ambition 7
President Thomas.
The administrative offices of the col
ge are scattered about in a number of
fferent buildings. For the convenience n
all concerned these offices should be :,
osely grouped, and because of its cen
al and commanding views, the old /
APPEL should be used for this purpose.
order to do this many classes now re- 7
ting there would have to be moved else !.
here and another building is necessary. 4
President Thomas suggests, therefore, 3
building known as Vermont hall to be 6
voted to those studies of special i'm
'rtance to the college as Vermont in =,
tuition and to symbolic its loyalty to '
e state TO which it owes so much, and /
further especially those studies by
hich young men and women are pre- r
red for intelligent citizenship in the ,,
cen mountain state. 1t should be built 1
Vermont material and in the style OF n
chitecture the forefathers practiced. 1t e
ght well enshrine a portrait Of Daniel
Thompson of the class of 1920, author
"The Green Mountain Boys; the
ok which created the fame of the Il
inders Of the commonwealth and made
rmont the symbol of courage and
'ength.