The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1921-01-28

bliehI 1OA q lCVI OIl ClJIlCI Otu
was well-kept lawn studded witt
figures and symbols, the creation O
the landscape gardener.
To the left beyond the lawn wa
quite a number Of plots, each PLANTED
with one of the various field or garden
crops. Their growth and appearance
showed the most careful cultivation
and attention had been given to them
The gardner told me that these wer,
agricultural experimental grounds.
Beyond the lawn to the right
noted a large square inclosure anc
from the paraphernalia scattered
about it was easy to comprehend thai
this was an athletic field. There wa.
a baseball diamond, football grid
iron, cinder track for the summer
ETC., etc. The same gardner told me
| that it was used as a Chautauqus
grounds in the summer.
AS | approached the beautiful mair
entrance of the great building l saw
in great, golden letters this inscrip
ton, '"The Coryells Ferry Community
Consolidated Vocational School" Their
| remembered that once | had beer
interested in promoting such an insti
tuition, but owing TO the inertia anC
| Indifference and lack of understanding
on the part of some of the people
| had become convinced that this com.
munity would be the very last in the
whole United States to wake up and
take advantage of this most modern
and most up-to-date institution OF
learning. l passed through the wide
! tile fioored lobby and entered the
Large school auditorium that, the
Janltor told me, was sealed with SOC
| opera chairs. The morning opening
exercises of the school were in
progress. The chairs were practically
all occupied. On the stage to the left
the faculty were seated-some twenty
teachers. To the right, grouped about
the piano, was the school orchestra
of some twenty pieces.
Prof. Warren R. Smith, a little
older but just as dignifed as of yore
presided. 1t was a most inspiring
sight to an old-time New Hopper, and
when that great body of children rose
and sang with dignity and enthu-
siastic zeal the stirring Battle Hymn
of the Republic was quite over
come with mingled emotions.
AT the close of the devotional ex-
erclses | was reintrodueed to Prof
Smith, who with commendable pride
showed me over this great educational
plant.
He led me through many class
rooms. These were splendidly
arranged as to lighting, heating, ven
tilation and sanitation. Each of these
grade rooms was presided over by a
teacher who was especially trained
for this grade. We spent some time
in very beautiful centrally located
room-the Reference Library Its
shelves were not yet filled with books,
but Mr.. Smith assured me that it was
growing rapidly, as requests of money
and books were constantly adding to
it. | noted a plate on the wall at one
end of the room which bore the names
of six men whom l had known as
prominent citizens of the community.
These he told me had donated the
furniture and equipment, together
with the first $50 volumns of the
library
| was shown two large, plain, we'll
Lighted rooms that interested me very
much. They were well-equipped with
all that was essential to their line of
work. One was the chemical labora-
tory, the other was the physical labor
atory. 1t seems strange how any
school would ever think of teaching
these subjects without some sort of
laboratory appliances. l was told
that these departments had also been
equipped by certain manufacturing
companies of the community that had
asked that their names should not
appear.
In the basement of one wing were
two workshops that were really my
center of interest. One was machine
shop, the other a carpenter or crafts
mans shop. Both were well-equipped
with tools and appliances.
1t was the period for instruction.
Each shop was presided over by a
skilled mechanic. The enthusiasm
that the boys showed in their work
was clearly indicative as to where the
heart and interest of the boy lay.
Mr.. Smith assured me that the old
and vexatious problem of how to keep
boys in school beyond the age of Is
had wholly disappeared. In the car
penter shop l saw boys intently build
ing tables, chairs, swingle trees,
wagon tongues and various other use
full articles. In the machine shop
they were working at repairing parts
of various machines. The hours here
were all too short and boys constantly
begged to be allowed to work over
time and on Saturdays.
In the basement of the other wing
| was shown the Wood" Domestic
Science Laboratories. This was
woman's exclusive sphere and mere
man" is in dire danger of trouble
when he even attempts to describe
it. One room was furnished with
ranges, tables, cooking utensils, etc.
Here the girls were taught by an ex-
pert all of the secrets and subtleties
of canning, baking, cooking, ETC.,
etc. 1t is here that details of girls
prepare cheap but delicious and
healthful lunches for the children.
The other room was equipped as
sewing room. There is taught
plain and fancy sewing and all the
vagaries and vainglories modern of
dressmaking and millinery
There were still other marvels in
this wonderful building and their con-
temptation made me more than glad
that it had been my privilege in the
more or less remote past to be even
an humble booster for Consolidated
Vocational School, in the "Coryell' s
Ferry Community"
THE DREAMER.