History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 82

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 82

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The year 1845 was also noted in the educational annals of the town because of a very large and suc- cessful Teachers' Institute held here. The Institute began its sessions October 28th and closed November 7, 1845. The attendance was fifty males and eighty- five females, most of whom were teachers in Fitch- hurg and neighboring towns.

The following gentlemen contributed their services as lecturers or instructors, or both, during the session : Hon. Horace Mann, Boston ; R. B. Hubbard, Esq., Worcester; W. B. Fowle, Esq., Boston ; Thomas Sherwin, Esq., Boston ; Rev. Barzillai Frost, Concord ; N. Tillinghast, Esq., Bridgewater; Amasa Walker, Esq., North Brookfield; George S. Hillard, Esq., Bos- ton ; Charles Mason, Esq., Fitchburg ; and Asa Fitz, Esq., Boston. Mr. Hillard was unable to be present, and the lecture prepared by him was read by Charles Sumner, Esq., of Boston, at that time just entering upon his glorious public career.

The pecuniary means necessary for holding this Institute, as well as three others held at about the same time in Pittsfield, Bridgewater and Chatham, were furnished by Hon. Edmund Dwight, of Boston, who placed in the hands of Hon. Horace Mann, then Secretary of the State Board of Education, the sum of one thousand dollars for this purpose; and at a special meeting of the Institute, November 7th, a set of resolutions were adopted expressing the obligation

1 Nos. 7 and 8 were, in 1844, united into one district, called No. 8.

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FITCHBURG.

and thanks of the members to Hon. Edmund Dwight for his munificence, to Hon. Horace Mann and Charles Mason, Esq., "for the efficient service they have rendered to the cause of popular education by their labors in the establishment of this Institute," to the lecturers and instructors for their valuable gratuitous services, and to the citizens of Fitchburg for their hospitality.

All the local work was performed and arrange- ments made by Mr. Mason, and at the close of the sessions, November 7th, the ladies of the institute presented to him a handsome gold pencil in recogni- tion of his efforts to make the Institute a success.

In 1845 the School Committee established a small library for the use of the public school teachers. A subscription paper, now in Mr. Mason's possession, was circulated, and the money thus obtained was used for the purchase of some forty books and pam- phlets on educational subjects. These were after- ward presented to the Fitchburg Public Library.

The town did not vote to print the school report for the year ending March, 1846, and in April of that year a subscription paper, also now in Mr. Mason's possession, was carried around and $23.16 raised, for which sum the report was printed the following May.

After 1846 the report was annually printed by vote of the town.

On several occasions since 1836 there had been articles in the warrants relating to the establishment of a high school in town, but these had always been "passed over." March 5, 1849, however, the town voted " to establish a High School to be kept throughout the year, with suitable vacations, the school committee to put it in operation as soon as convenient," and eight hundred dollars were appro- priated for this purpose.

The town purchased the Academy of the High School Association and enlarged it. Mr. Anson S. Marshall was engaged as the first principal of the Fitchburg High School, and in March, 1850, there were eighty-two pupils in attendance.

The town was now thoroughly awake on the sub- ject of education. During the year ending March 1, 1850, over two thousand dollars were expended for new school-houses in South Fitchburg and Crocker- ville and the addition to the Academy building, and about eleven hundred dollars for painting and repair- ing the old houses. The annual appropriation had risen to about four thousand dollars.

During the next ten years much was done towards bringing the schools into good working condition. The High School was well attended, and proved a suc- cess from the start. The scholars in the school were divided into two grades called the First and Second Departments. This method was retained until the spring of 1855, when the town voted to abolish the Second Department of the High School and estab- lish in lieu thercof three grammar schools-one on Day Street, one on West Street and the third in West

Fitchburg. These schools were put in operation be- fore the end of April, 1855.

In 1856 seven thousand dollars were raised, to be equally divided between the high, grammar and dis- trict schools.

It was becoming very evident that increased ac- commodations would soon be necessary, especially for the High School; but it was not till 1859 that buildings were actually erected, though in 1858 the South Street house was enlarged at an expense of nearly two thousand dollars.

In 1859 the East Street School-house was built, and also a new house in District No. 11, the two costing about five thousand dollars.

In 1860 what is now the High Street Grammar School building was erected at a cost of about twelve thou- sand dollars. This was a commodious, well-built, brick house, with accommodations for three hundred and sixty scholars; it was heated by furnaces. The High School occupied the upper portion, and several schools of lower grade were kept in the rest of the building.

The West Fitchburg Grammar School building was also erected in 1860, at a cost of about three thousand three hundred dollars, and furnished accommodations for seventy-two scholars. Both these houses reflected great credit on the building committee, consisting of Edwin Upton, William O. Brown and Arnold Wilson.

The appropriation for schools in 1860 was seven thousand four hundred and fifty dollars.

After the removal of the High School to the new building the Academy was used for various purposes. It was here that Mr. E. Butterick began the business of making shirt-patterns. He was successful and later removed to New York City, where he estab- lished one of the largest pattern and fashion houses in the world. About 1865 the town sold the Acad- emy building for seven hundred dollars, and a few years later it was moved, and became a portion of the Rollstone House.

In 1867 began another period of school-house building. During that year the Middle Street house was erected at a cost of upwards of thirteen thousand dollars.

In 1868 the town appropriated $16,000 for the support of schools and expended nearly $100,000 for new buildings and, alterations and repairs of old houses.

The High School had outgrown its quarters, and in 1868 the erection of a handsome High School build- ing was begun on the old Academy lot. It was com- pleted in 1869, and cost upwards of $50,000. It still serves the purpose for which it was built, and is a well-arranged, commodious school edifice-an orna- ment and credit to Fitchburg.

In 1868 the Day Street School-house was almost entirely rebuilt and considerably enlarged, at an expense of about $30,000.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Since 1870 much has been done toward improving the facilities for the instruction of the youth of this city.

Early in 1873 Mr. Eli A. Hubbard, who was prin- cipal of the High School, 1854-57, was secured to fill the newly-established office of superintendent of schools. He began his duties in April, 1873, and held the position about two years, when he resigned, much to the regret of our citizens. In 1875 Mr. Joseph G. Edgerly was elected his successor, and has held the office to the present time. Mr. Edgerly has attended faithfully to his duties, and his annual reports are documents full of interesting and valuable information regarding the progress and needs of the schools of the city.

The general condition of our public schools since the city form of government was adopted can perhaps best be shown by the following table giving the annual appropriations, number of teachers employed and average daily attendance of pupils from 1873 to 1888 inclusive :

Year.

Appropriation. No. of Teachers. Avrg. Daily Attend'ce.

1873.

$29,000 ..

55 1686

1874.

35,000.

1728

1875 ...

35,000.

54 1750

1876 ...

38,000.

57 1783

1877

33,500

56 1868

1878

'32,100

55 1917

1879.

34,140

1834

1880.

32,200

1771

1881

33,500.

1865

1882.

37,200.

59. 1977

1883

37,500.

2094

1884

40,300 ..

2233

1885.

46,470,

63 2305

1886 ..

48,100

2306

1887.

51,000

2204

1888 55,500.

2185 1

The appropriations above given do not include the amounta voted for repairs and new school-houses, but simply the appropriations for teachers' salaries, fuel, care of school-houses and rooms, and minor in- cidental expenses.

The law passed in 1884, requiring cities and towns in this State to furnish school-books to the pupils, caused an average increase of $4500 in the annual achool appropriations for the last four years, and this is included in the figures for 1885-88 in the above table.

In 1886 the Catholics established a parochial school here, and converted their old church into a school- house for this purpose. A large proportion of their children attend this school, thus cansing a consider- able falling off in the attendance of the public schools. A parochial school building is now in process of erection in West Fitchburg.

Our school-houses are kept in good repair, the city making a special appropriation of several thousand dollars annually for this purpose.

In 1874 the High Street Grammar School building

was considerably enlarged, at an expense of $10,000, and within a few years the Day Street house has been much enlarged and improved, at considerable expense.

During the past five years a number of new and substantial brick school-houses have been built, the most important of which are the Rollstone Street house, erected in 1883, one on Maverick Street and another on Highland Avenue, built in 1885, and the Clarendon Street house, built in 1887. The aggre- gate cost of the four structures was about $50,000, nearly one-third of which was expended on the Clarendon Street house, which has several improve- ments that the older buildings lack. It is said to be the best lighted, best heated and best ventilated building in town.

The city now owns school property valued at about $250,000. There are twenty school buildings, in which are kept forty-nine schools, graded as follows ; one High School, four grammar schools, twelve inter- mediate, twenty-five primary and seven suburban ungraded schools. These are taught by some seventy teachers, most of whom are graduates of our own public schools. Instruction in singing and drawing is also given throughout the school year by two competent teachers.

For several years past a number of evening schools have been maintained during the winter season.

The passage of the Illiterate Minor Bill by the Legislature in 1887 obliged the city to largely in- crease its provisions for evening schools. During the fall session in 1886, and the two sessions in 1887, 622 pupils registered at these schools, though the average nightly attendance was only sixty-three. At the session early in 1888, 588 pupils registered, and the average nightly attendance was 227.

An evening drawing-school is also maintained every winter, and is very well attended.

We will conclude this section on the public schools of Fitchburg with a few remarks concerning the High School. The building, which is pleasantly located on a lot bounded by Academy, Davis, Pleasant and High Streets and is surrounded by well-kept grounds, contains one large school-room, one smaller and five recitation-rooms, besides a laboratory, mineralogical cabinet, reception-room, etc., all of which are exclu- sively devoted to the High School.

The school has prospered and been a credit to the town and city since it was established, in 1849, and has been under the care of competent instructors, both principals and assistants, who have labored faithfully to maintain a high standard of scholar- ship.

The names and terms of service of the principals of the Fitchburg High School since its establishment are as follows :

Anson Southard Marshall, A. B .. .. 1849-51

Enoch Gibson Hook, A. B 1851

Martin Heald Fisk, A. M. .1852

1 Spring and summer terms of 1888.

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FITCHBURG.

Rev. Ezekiel Hale Barstow, A. M 1852-53

Jonathan Clarkson Brown, A. B. 1853-54

Rev. Milan Hubbard Hitchcock, A. B 1854

Eli Andrews Hubbard, A. M 1854-57

Hanson Leland Read, A. M. 1857-62

Francis Huntington Snow, A. B 1862-63

Edward Dorr Pritchard, A. M 1863-64

Rev. Walter Whitney Hammond, A. M. 1864-65

Ruel Baxter Clark, A. B 1865-75

Ray Greene Huling, A. M. 1875-86

Herbert William Kittredge, A.M., the present principal, began his duties here in September, 1886, and under his management the school has been satis- factorily carried on since. He is efficiently aided in his work by six assistant teachers-four being ladies and two gentlemen.

The number of pupils in the High School at the present time (autumn of 1888) is two hundred and fifty-six-the largest number ever enrolled in the school.

In one respect, we regret to say, our High School has not kept up the high standing it once had. Fifteen years ago the Fitchburg High School was recognized as an excellent fitting-school for college, and ranking with the High Schools of Worcester, Somerville and other large cities. During the eight years following 1867 thirteen of its graduates entered Harvard College alone, and every one passed through the entrance examinations with credit to himself and the school ; and during the same eight years as many graduates entered other colleges.

Since 1875 the school has lost its prestige in this respect, not because of lack of ability or desire on the part of the principals of the school to fit boys for college, but because the popular sentiment de- creed that so much time and attention should not be devoted to classical study in the High School ; but it is to be hoped that some time in the future the Fitch- burg High School may regain its former high rank as a fitting school.

LIBRARIES .- The Fitchburg Public Library, which is one of our most valuable and highly appreciated educational institutions, was not established until 1859; but for thirty years previous there was in Fitchburg some description of library, whose vol- umes were more or less accessible to the citizens.

Inasmuch as our present library is the natural out- growth of these early collections of books, it is proper and advisable to give a short history of these efforts of the citizens to get a library together, prior to 1859, when the town came to the rescue, appropriated money and provided accommodations for a free pub- lie library.

THE FITCHBURG PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. - This appears to be the first literary association in Fitchburg of which we have any knowledge. It was organized about 1828 for the purpose of having lec- tures and debates,-what, in the rural parlance of to- day, is called a "Lyceum." It was before this society that Mr. Wood, in 1831, delivered his course of lectures on the early history of Fitchburg.

It was the intention of this society to accumulate a library, and, with this purpose in view, a number of books were purchased with money subscribed by tbe members, and Drs. Marshall and Abercrombie kindly furnished accommodations in their office for these books. The principal portion of this early col- lection consisted of a set of forty-seven large vol- umes, entitled "The Cyclopedia; or, Universal Dic- tionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature." This work was compiled by Abraham Rees, D.D., F.R.S., and comprised forty-one volumes of print, the other six containing maps and plates. These books were in themselves almost a complete library, and must have been quite expensive. The entire set has come down to our day, having been successively the property of the Philosophical Society, Library Association, Athenæum and Public Library.

At the present time the "Cyclopedia" is in the Wal- lace Library and Art Building, and one day in July, 1888, the writer took occasion to go there for the special purpose of seeing this relic of by-gone days. All forty-seven volumes were found packed away in a basement room, and the librarian informed the writer that no one had ever before, to his knowledge, asked to see these books since he became librarian, fifteen years ago.

The volumes are in an excellent state of preserva- tion, and it seems as if they ought to occupy a place of honor in the library, and be carefully preserved, for unquestionably Rees' "Cyclopedia " may be con- sidered the foundation of the Fitchburg Public Library.

The Philosophical Society existed until 1838, but did not accumulate much of a library. It was suc- ceeded, in 1838, by

THE FITCHBURG LIBRARY ASSOCIATION .- This was a stock organization, each member thereof hold- ing one or more shares. The Association purchased the books belonging to the Philosophical Society and in the course of the next fourteen years added enough to make, in 1852, a total of about five hundred volumes.

The library of the Association was kept in Mr. Phineas S. Crocker's book-bindery and stationery store, a small, one-story wooden building on the site now occupied by the Stiles Block. Mr. Crocker was for several years librarian, and some of our older citizens well remember his genial and accommodating manners. George E. Towne, Esq., in his address at the dedication of the Wallace Library and Art Build- ing, July 1, 1885, speaking of Mr. Crocker as a libra- rian, said, "The care bestowed by him upon the few volumes, the satisfaction with which he aided appli- cants in their selections, and the pride he felt in hav- ing been selected as worthy to bear such tremendous responsibility, were something marvelous to see."

Books were loaned to members, and it is probable that no very strict account of the delivery and return of books was kept, for when the affairs of the Asso-

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ciation were wound up in 1852, eighty volumes, or about one-sixth of the total number, were found to be missing.

The Fitchburg Library Association cannot be said to have been a flourishing institution. The people did not take hold of the enterprise with the enthu- siasm that was essential to make it a success. The membership was not large, there being only thirty- three shareholders in 1852.

By that time it had finished its mission of preserv- ing and gradually increasing a collection of books, the nucleus of a future public library, and was ready to give way to, and be absorbed by, a new and stronger library organization,-

THE FITCHBURG ATHENEUM .- December 6, 1851, a number of citizens who were desirous of having a new library association formed in town, met at the Fitchburg Hotel to talk the matter over. At this meeting it was decided to start a subscription paper, and also to confer with the shareholders of the Fitchburg Library Association, and ascertain upon what terms they would dispose of their library to the new associ- ation. A committee of five, consisting of Charles Mason, Rev. C. Woodhouse, Asher Green, W. B. Wood and L. H. Bradford, was chosen to take the matter in charge and report at a future meeting, “ to be called at such time as the committee shall see fit." It was also voted that this committee report, at the same time, a plan of organization for the proposed library association.

It was not until March 4, 1852, that the committee made their report to the citizens interested. The meeting was held in the town-hall and a preliminary report read by Mr. Mason, chairman of the commit- tee.

The substance of this report was that the names of one hundred and twenty-five subscribers, at five dol- lars each, had been obtained by Mr. William B. Wood; that the members of the Fitchburg Library Association had voted to transfer their library to the proposed new association, provided each of its mem- bers be entitled to one share in the new association, and become a member of it, with all the privileges of new subscribers. As the membership of the Library Association was thirty-three, and each share in the new association was worth five dollars, this would be equivalent to pay ing one hundred and sixty-five dollars for the library which, contained, as was supposed, about five hundred volumes. The committee consid- ered this a fair price and recommended that the library be purchased on the terms stated.

The report then proceeded to enumerate the advan- tages that would arise from the institution of such a library in Fitchburg, and marked out, in a general way, a plan of organization and the methods to be used in carrying on the association. Each member (except those who came in from the Fitchburg Library Association) was to pay five dollars, and thereby, be entitled to one share in the association

and to pay one dollar per year, to be applied to the increase of the library. Provisions were also made for officers, board of directors, etc., and suitable regulations for the loaning and returning of books.

It was also recommended to have a course of lec- tures each winter, that vigorous efforts be made to in- crease the number of subscribers and that, " at a proper time, the Association be organized, as Proprietors of a Library, as a corporation, under the provisions of the Revised Statutes."

This report was printed in full in the Fitchburg Sentinel of March 12, 1852, and at its conclusion was the following :

The above report was unanimously accepted and the committee were instructed to present a plan of organization at a future meeting and, in the meantime, to take measures to procure additional subscribers and to obtain suitable accommodations for the Library in the new Towo House.

In accordance with the last instruction, the matter of providing a room in the town-house, that was to be built immediately, was brought before the citizens at the annual town-meeting, April 5, 1852, and it was voted " that the building Committee be authorized to procure or provide a room for the Library Association in the new Town House."

Matters progressed favorably in all respects, and by the following autumn the association was about ready to begin its work. The name fixed upon was the Fitchburg Athenæum, and the shareholders were duly organized as a library association under that name.

One of the first acts of the Athenaeum was to make arrangements for a course of lectures by well-known men during the winter of 1852-53. The committee on lectures was Charles Mason, Rev. John Jennings and Rev. Horatio Stebbins, and no pains were spared by this committee to secure an able and popular course of lectures.

This was essentially an experiment, but the citizens appreciated the earnest labor of the committee and made it a success in every way. Season tickets for the course were put at a price certainly within the reach of all, a price that seems ridiculously small in these days, viz., one dollar for gentlemen and fifty cents for ladies.

In the Sentinel of December 17, 1852, appeared the following :

FITCHBURG ATHENEUM LECTURES.

A course of twelve Lectures will be delivered before the Fitchburg Atheneum the current winter. The Introductory lecture will be hy the Rev. Mark Hopkins, D. D., President of Williams College, on Tuesday evening, Dec. 21st, at the Meeting House of the Catviaistic Congrega- tional Society. The exercises on the Tuesday evening succeeding will be a POEM, by the Rev. John Pierpont, of Medford.

The announcement then went on to state that the list had not yet been completed, and mentioned the names of five prominent lecturers with whom dates had already been arranged.

The following is a correct copy of the list of lec- turers and the dates on which they appeared before the Fitchburg Athenaeum audiences. It is a list with which any lecture bureau might well be satisfied and

'265

FITCHBURG.

even be proud of. It is copied directly from the manuscript list in the possession of Mr. Mason, the chairman of the Lecture Committee, who did most of the arranging and corresponding with the various lec- turers :

Rev. Mark Hopkins, D.D., Williamstown. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1852 Rev. John Pierpont, Medford. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1852 Hoo. Josiah Quincy, Jr., Boston .. Tuesday, Jan. 4, 1853 Hou. Horace Greeley (Lecture), New York )

Charles Thurber, Esq. (Poem), Worcester Tuesday, Jan. 11. 1853

Rev William Mountford, Gloucester ,Tuesday, Jan 18, 1853

Richard H. Dana. Jr., Esq., Boston. Tuesday, Jan. 25, 1853 Edwin P. Whipple, Esq , Bostoo .Tuesday, Feh. 1, 1853

Rev. Theodore Parker, Boston. Tuesday. Feb. 8, 1853

Oliver Wendell Holmes, M.D., Boston. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1853

Hoo. John J. Gilchrist, Charlestown, N. H ...... Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1853 Hon. Joha G. Palfrey, Cambridge Tuesday, Mar. 1, 1853

Rev. Samuel Osgood, New York Tuesday, Mar. 8, 1853

The first three lectures were given in the Calvin- istic Congregational Church, but the remaining nine were delivered in the hall of the new town house, as the following extract from the Sentinel of January 7, 1853, shows :

ATHENEUM LECTURES .- The remaiciog bine lectures of the course will be in the New Town Hall, which will be first used for that purpose on Tuesday evening, Jan. 11th. A lecture will theo be delivered by the HON. HORACE GREELEY, of the New York Tribune, and a poem by CHARLES THURNER, EsQ., of Worcester. We anticipate seeiog the ele- gant and spacious ball filled with an audience of the intelligent citizens of the neighboring towos, as well as of our owo, to enjoy the rich intel- lectual treat which may be expected on the occasion.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 82

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576