Evening star., 1932-12-11

~ frst free public school in Virginia
viii be unveiled at the Alexandria
Academy next wednesday by the
Washington Society of Alexandria
incident to the 133rd anniversary of
the death OF George Washington who founded
this institution in 17s5.
Dominating extensive view Of the new
Mount Vernon Boulevard. coupled with q back
ground of great historical interest, the Alexan-
dria Academy. now part OF the public school
system in that city viii eventually be taken
over by the Washington Society to be pre-
served as a national shrine dedicated to edu-
cation. At least that is the dream of the
society.
During the most stirring days in the history
of George Washington's home town this school
has maintained its traditional beauty and char
acter through the varied phases of national
and municipal metamorphosis not only in view
of the fact that it virtually introduced the
free public school system in America, but of
the dominating influence it has exercised
toward the rapid development in the advance
ment of educational methods and facilities.
The Washington Society of Alexandria has
been functioning for 132 years, true to its orig
inal ideals in the perpetuation of the name and
fame of George Washington. 1t was, prima-
rily, composed of those who had known him
longest and most intimately in every relation
of life and who, when the parting tear had
Ot1eO on the cneek, DanQeQ themselves
gether to give public and permanent express
sion of their devotion to the man and to the
principles OF which he was the glorious ex-
ponent. His marvellous, career, all of which
they saw, and part of which they WERE was
fresh in their memories, coupled with grief
at the irreparable loss his death occasioned.
Out of these everlasting memories the Wash
ington Society of Alexandria was founded and
has up to the present era exercised an i'm
nj urfI
Just when the fathers of the city of Alex
andria viii permit the academy to be taken
over and dedicated as a national shrine is
unknown. but when this event shall take place
this little three-story school house will be
transformed into museum. 1t will greatly
enhance the many conspicuous landmarks
which still exist in this historic and scenic
country, with its doors and gates open to
tourists and students, just as they were once
open to that illuStricus first citizen of many,
many years ago. Probably nowhere else in
the country will be found such a wealth of
Colonial relics so intimately identified with the
trainers of our Government. To know these
old landmarks is to visit them and to read
about them. It is to meet these men spiritual
iy so to speak IN the streets where they
walked and in the places where they met and
discussed the vital problems of their day
When the Alexandria Academy Is trans
formed into the proposed national shrine, if
the hopes of the Washington society are at
tained there will be literally illustrated on its
interior walls many national mementos and
relics. For example, it is at present contem-
plated to place maps, charts and other educa-
honal leafs of paper used by the children at
the time of its founding. Sketches, problems
of arithmetic, compositions and samples of
work done by the children Of the American
Revolution will be displayed with appropriate
exhibits in various parts OF the building. Old
desks, chairs and ether primitive school equip