Year: 1876

A MagniJicent StrMcture-Hoao IT LOOlcs


Inside nmd out - Ertenstve sPrepara-


tions jor Training the Youthful Mind -


The Architect und Contractors.


The dearth of business, its paralyzing in
fluences upon enterprise, and the scarcity of
money ha, not stayed the erection of good
specimens of architecture in Wilmington
This is shown in the fine State Normal
University that Professor John G. Harkness
has erected at the corner of Tenth and
Market streets. 1t was visited yesterday
afternoon by a re 3resentative of The MORN
ING HERALD who found the Professor there
ousily engaged experimenting the prepara-
tory work to the opening of the large insti-
tuition, which takes place on Monday next.
In writing description of building there
are many difficulties to encounter, and one
of these is to determine what part to CON-
mence with. In this article we shall COM
mence at the top story. This is large,
airy room, 80 by 40 feet and is lighted by
eleven windows IN highly feet wide, all
of them double hung. The room is 12T
feet high in the clear, and at night will
have an excellent illumination from two
chandeliers and sill lights.


The ventilation Of the room Is admirable.
There are two ventilators in the ceiling ex-
tending through to the roof six feet above.
These are galvanized iron. Besides these,
=, there will also be ventilation by four
nues taking the bad air from
the top and bottom of the
room. The walls are finished with cal
cined plaster and It's freshness gives the
room decided air Of comfort. The view
from this room is one of the finest to be OBJ
tanned in the city, overlooking the Brandy
| wine, the Christiana and the Delaware and
far up the railroad, all the southern portion
of the city and far into the northwestern
portion. 1t is the intention of Professor
Harkness to allow this to be used for Lodge
meetings. But while the view from here is
one OF grandeur, that to be obtained from
the roof, is one most calculated to impress
the spectator with the beautiful panorama
of nature and art, spreads out to the gaze.
From this elevation upon clear day the
human vision commands view of three
nuis 1horing States, New Jersey, Pennsyl
vania and Maryland.


Connected with the Lodge room is all
ante room, and the passage is lighted 81
both ends. The descent from this floor to
the third story is gradual by wide stair
way, upon either side of which is an i'm.
proved iron railing, put on with screws with
such irmness and neatness as to surpass
the old patterns.


On the third floor wide passage extends
from end to end of the building, and 1t is
well lighted by two large windows. At the
western end are the water closets, and
along the walls of the passage are racks in
tended for hanging clothing. Another pas
sage way turns to the south, and along this
was found a wash-room fitted up with wash
basins and hydrants; connected with this by
| door is recitation room, and directly
across ,he passagc-way is a closet for cloth
ing, and then the visitor is ushered into the
large school room fitted up with desks OF
modern style. The ventilation Of the room
is very good, by tlues and seven large win
dows, which not only aid ventilation but
furnish good light. The walls are hard
finished in cacne, and the floor firm
and of well seasoned timbers. Upon the
same floor and fronting on Market, just at
| the head of the stairway leading up from
the second story is small room, well sup
piled with desks, to be used for school pur-
poses.


The descent from this story to the second
| is by a stairway similar to the other de-
.cribed. In the passage way upon this
floor are to be found the same ample ar
rangements for the disposal of clothing as
upon the floor above, and with but very few
exceptions the general construction is the
| same Upon this floor will be


located the main school room.
| 1t is lighted by eight windows, each CT
which is ten feet in height, admitting 4


light admirable for school purposes, show
ing consideration upon the part Of the
| Professor and the architeet for the eyes
the children, very thoughtful. The vensia,
tion of this room will be by four veDtilators
arranged in the walls. The flooring is the
best Georgia pine, and upon its whole sur
face there cannot be discovered one single
knot. The joists are 3 by II throughout,
showing that precaution has been taken as
to its safety. In this room is large piano
and every arrangement for the perfection of
the CaIisthenic drill which Professor Hark-
less has made feature in has university.
There will also be upon this floor CONNER
cal department for giring young men
| practical business training.


| Adjoining the main school room is what
is called the class room, where the classes


will be heard. Emerging from this you
are taken directly into the Professors pri-
vate office. Here he can command view
OF the broad stairway leading up from the
street and of the passageway leading into
The school ROOM This Office Is fitted up
with book cases, a desk and one OF Marvin s
safes.


The entrance to the university is by dou-
ble doors, grained in walnut and opening
outward, as all the doors in the building do
ar a matter of safety in the emergency OF


fire or panic. The s.air case leading TO the


first floor is of seasoned oak and Is q mate
rial very difficult to obtain. The front OF
the building both on Market and Tenth
streets is very attractive displaying an archi-
lecture at once pleasing to the eye. There are
two stores on the ground floor Of the build
ing we'll arranged for store purposes. The


fronts are grained in French walnut, and


faced with large double show windows OF
double French glass. The corner store is


lG by SO feet, and will be occupied by Mr..