Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-22
BANKS AND OTHER BUILDINGS

N meant a change in the banks pres- idency; the office is now held by Charles L. Hubbard, but, fortunately for Norwich, Col Gale continues at his desk, a leader not only in matters
 .am but in line ns of and betterment of the city!
 Other banks on shetueket Street (1sos) are the First National, the Uncas National and the Thames Loan & Trust Company. Here again, MT. Gilman could not foresee thA tragedy by which. after eight year, the Uncas National Bank would be the sole stir- xivor of this, then flourtshing trio. Happily. the financial panic which gave the town a succession of Black Fridays has been outlived, and the changes in Bankers Row tell no tales tation which upheaved that short thoroughfare for few anxious monthsi Mir. Gilman msntiens on Main Street the Msrchants' NationaI Bank founded in 1833, and the Dime Savings Bank, both unpretentfous but e''iet sod structures h,,v d9ins nusinsss in .s happily on a firm financial and man D agerial foundation.
 cheisea Savings Bank purchased the Universalist church property, at the junction of Main and CHff Streets, and by 1911 had completed a remark ably fine building. of classical arch- ton, furnished with all modern ap- business When MT. Gilman was writing his book, the president was uEer was Charles Billings Chapman. Since that date death has claimed both these prominent and useful cit Ezens. At present the president is John Chester Averill, a. bank man of valuable experience end sound judg- ment. and the treasurer is Frank Hampstead, who has had good train- ing for his new post.
 Continuing his review of important structures, Mr. Gilman cites the Free Academy, noting that during the eel ebration of 1909 the original building, years, was being replaced by a larger structure, severely plain in it's ex- terior. but admirably adapted within for the purposes of the school.
 The Manual Trairina department had already been established Ia 1895, in a well equipped and well arranged fuilding costing about sl2.O60 which was contributed in large part by the alumni.
 The Slater Msmori.I aufIdira. the gift of William A. Slater in 1886, in hnor of his father, John Fox Slater. auditorium. containing many por- traets, and the Peck Library. The Art Gallery annexed to it was found ed by the bequest of Col. Charles A. Converse. These four Buildings. and the residence of the principal of the Academy, are ideally we'll situated. on a broad campus extending to the Rockwell woods.
 The foundation of the Academy, recalled too often or with too much enthusia sm-was due to the zeal of Rev. Dr. John P. Gulliver, who per suaded citizens of Norwich to con- tribute sSo,ooo for that purpose.
 Subscriptions reaching. $so,ooo would be considered a rather tidy sum even today, when the nation is thinking in billions and amounts once hendias held as fabulous a are neing loaned and and startling celerfty and seeming indifference. What then did it mean as far back. as 1S5S-54. when the far sighted citizens of Norwich began to stitution for higher education of it's boys and girls!
 It is to be regretted, writes MT Gilman. that the long list of origi- nal subscribers and subsequent bene- factors cannot be reprinted here. It included such names as William A. Buckingham, Russell Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. William P. Greene. Moses Pierce, Henry B. Norton, and many others worthy of mention. The spir- it kindled by Dr. Gulliver's enthus- iasm is illustrated by MT. Hubbards unsolicited offer to give "one-tenth of seventy five thousand dollars for free academy" and by Mir. Greenes response, T will give one-tenth of seventy five thousand dollars, or one tenth of any other sum you can raise!"
 The principals of the Academy have been Elbridge Smith. William Hutch inson and Dr. Robert Porter Keep, all of whom have departed this life, and Henry A. Tirrell, who succeeded Dr. Keep in 1903.
 Under these honored instructors, MT. Gilman writes, the Academy has fulfilled Dr. Gulliver's hope that it might become "a University of Sec. ondary Education.'
 THE BICTAGRAPH.