History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 77

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780

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On the 18th of January, 1877, on motion of Col. Robie, of Gorham, the House of Representatives

" Ordered : That the Superintendent of Common Schools be, and is hereby, requested to make such examination as he muy deem neces- sury, looking to the establishment of a normal school in the western part of the State ; and all parties interested are hereby authorized to communicate with him, setting forth the udvantages of locality nad

# By llon, John A. Waterman.

the peenniary benefits that may be offered to secure the school, and report by bill or otherwise to the next Legislature."

The following order was introduced by Col. Robie, and concurred in by the House of Representatives, Jan. 17, 1878 :

"Ordered : In pursuance of an order of the last Legislature, request- ing the Superintendent of Common Schools to make such examination as he may deem necessary, looking to the establishment of a normal school in the western part of the State, be it further ordered, that he be requested to report to this Legislature any information or facts that he may have received from localities desiring a normal school, and his own conclusions and judgment in regard to the matter."

Jan. 19, 1878, the Legislature ordered

" That the Committee on Education be directed to make such ex- amination and investigation as may be deemed necessary, looking fo the establishment of a normal school in the western part of the State, giving all parties interested an opportunity to be heard, and tu report by bill or otherwise."

The Committee on Education reported the following bill to establish an additional normal school :

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled, as follows :

"SECTION 1. There is hereby established another normal school, upon such plan as the board of trustees of normal schools may direct.

"SEC. 2. Said normal school shall be located at Gorham, in the county uf Cumberland, provided and upon condition that there he conveyed to the State by the proper authorities, for the use and pur- poses of such school, land, and buildings thereon, situated in said town, such as shall be, in the judgment of the trustees of the normal schools, of sufficient capacity and in such condition as to meet fully the demands of said school. And said trustees, upon such convey- ance, are authorized to proeure teachers and put in operation such school, and cause the same to be conducted at a cost per year nut greater than that of either of the present normal schools, such cost to be deducted and paid from the public school funds."

The bill was taken from the table, Feb. 15, 1878, and the House ordered the yeas and nays on its passage to be engrossed. The question being so taken, the bill was passed by yeas 101, nays 34. The vote in the Senate on its final passage was yeas 17, nays 6.

The Legislature of 1878, without opposition, passed bills authorizing " the trustees of Gorham Seminary to convey the property of said corporation for the use and purposes of the normal school established at Gorham," and author- izing the town of Gorham,, or any of its school districts, to raise money for providing buildings for the same.

At the annual town-meeting, held on the 4th of March, 1878, a very large proportion of all the voters of the town being present, after a full discussion the town unanimously voted to raise $15,000 to aid in erecting a normal school building, with certain restrictions added thereto.

The following individuals were selected to act for the town, in the capacity of building committee: Frederick Robie, Daniel C. Emery, John A. Waterman, Stephen llinckley, Roscoe G. Harding, Solomon B. Cloudman, and Reuben Lowell.

The committee appointed as above submitted the follow- ing report, which was accepted by the town at its annual meeting, in March, 1879 :

" TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF GORNAM :

" The committee, appointed by the town nt its last annual meeting, to whom were intrusted the interests of the town growing out of the location and establishment of the State Normal Schoul and the eree-

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TOWN OF GORILAM.

tion therefor of suitable buildings in Gorham, have attended to their duty and beg teave to make the following report. They have, as was contemplated, actel in conjunction with committees duly se- lected by the trustees of Gorham Seminary, and by the subscribers to a fund raised in aid of the Normal School Building. The joint committee were duly organized and constituted thus: Frederick Robie, Chairman ; John A. Waterman, Treasurer ; George B. Emery, Secretary ; Daniel C. Emery, Stephen Hinkley, Joseph Ridlon, Mar- shalt Irish, Roscoe G. Harding, Henry Il. Hunt, Humphrey Cousens, Lewis Mclellan, Geo. W. Lowell, Solomon B. Cloudman, an ì Reuben Lowell. The labors of the committee have been crowned with com- plete success. An elegant and noble building has heen erected and completed, which is an ornament and honor to our town. The entire property has been duly accepted and transferred to the State. There is now in successful operation a State normal school department, with its model schools. The first class of pupils is unexpectedly large, and the opening of the Normal School promises all that its most sanguine friends ever anticipated.

" The following items have been taken from the books of the treas- urer, which give a statement of the cost of the building, etc., and the sources from which funds were raised to pay the same. The treasurer paid ont,-

" For land. $1,000.00

" cellar and foundation wall. 622.50

= building as per contract. 19,880.00

' heating apparatus .... 1,817.00

44 seats, desks, and other furniture. $698.40 101.60

800.00

" architect and superintendent's fees ... 600.00 200.00

800.00

" grading, drain-pipe, and cesspool ..... 250.00

45.90

295.90

" extra work, insurance, coal and wood, printing,

watchman, and sundry small items .. 296.31

$25,511.71

" There has also been expended on the seminary

property something over two thousand dollars ... 2,000.00

$27,511.71

" The following amounts have been collected and accounted for by the treasurer :

" Money raised by the town $15,000.00 From sale of old harn and apples. 20.50 Realized from village subscriptions. 7,170.00

The balance has been paid by the trustees of Gorham Seminary, by the provisions of special act of the Legislature, unless a small unpaid aroount shall he collected from the subscription paper

5,321.21

$27,511.71

" The money raised hy the town has gone entirely into the construc- tion account of the building. The committee have encountered mnauy difficulties and perplexities, and have felt the weight of responsibility that has rested upon them, and have devoted much time and labor to secure a successful result. They subscribed and have paid (85550) five thousand five hundred and fifty dollars towards the Normal School Building. They have received nothing, and make no charge for their services as committee, but are fully compensated in view of the pro- spective advantages which await our town.

" FREDERICK ROBIE, Chairman,

" For the committee."

The following is a description of the school building, by Mr. F. II. Fassett, of Portland, the architect of the build- ing: " The style of the building is modern Gothic. The entire edifice rests on a solid ledge. The foundations are two feet thick, and laid in cement mortar. The underpin- ning, outside steps, and buttresses, are of granite. All of the exterior walls and main partitions are of brick, 14 inches in thickness. The outside course of the exterior walls is of face brick. All the window and door trimmings,

belt and string courses, are of Nova Scotia freestone ; the canopy over the front entrance is all freestone, projecting two feet from the face of the wall, and supported by frec- stone columns, with elaborately-carved capitals.

" On the front of the building there is a tower 14 by 16 feet, surmounted by a pyramidal roof, ornamented with iron cresting and a copper vane. The entire height of the tower is 90 feet. On each side of the main building there is a pavilion, each 8 by 24 feet in size and 70 feet high, surmounted by pyramidal roofs and iron cresting. All the cornices and towers are of galvanized iron, that on the main building being bracketed and quite elaborate in de- tail. The roofs are high, having a pitch of 45°, and are slated and finished with an ornamental iron cresting.

" The general ground-plan of the building is in the form of a cross, the vestibule and dressing-rooms forming the head, the main building making the two arms, and two model-school rooms the foot. The principal entrance opens into a vestibule, 33 by 18 feet, in which are two flights of wide stairs leading to the second and third stories. On the right and left of the vestibule are the dressing-rooms, each 10 by 19 feet. From the vestibule there is a corridor 10 feet wide running through the main building, and com- munieating with the entrances to the model-school rooms. On the right of the corridor is a class-room 24 by 27 feet, and a laboratory also 24 by 27 feet. On the left of the corridor are three class rooms, one 17 by 34 feet, the other two 12 by 27 feet each. All can be thrown into one room by sliding partitions.

" Each of the model-school rooms is 22 by 26 feet, and the two are divided by a glazed partition arranged so as to throw them into one when occasion requires. Each has a separate outside entrance opening into a corridor 9 feet wide, running at right angles to the main corridor and con- necting with it, thereby giving three spacious entrances to the building on the ground floor.

" The second floor contains a staircase, hall 33 by 17 feet, the main hall and school-room 48 by 70 feet. In the rear, over the model-school room, is a class-room 34 by 22 feet, teachers' room 17 by 22, library 17 by 22 feet. The first floor is 14 feet high in the clear, the second 16 feet. In the basement are located the steam-boiler, cisterns, water- tanks, and water-closets. The third story is unfinished. All the interior finish is of Michigan pine, oiled and var- nished. The floors throughout are Georgia pine. The whole building is thoroughly heated by steam."

The exercises of the dedication of the Normal School building contain so many things of historic interest that we do not feel at liberty to omit them entirely from this brief sketch of the town of Gorhamn.

The dedication, which took place Dec. 26, 1878, was attended by a large concourse of people and by many dis- tinguished visitors from the capital and other portions of the State. The Governor came not only to participate in the exercises, but to receive in person, as the executive head of the State, the munificent gift which the liberality of the people of Gorham had provided, and the deed of which was now ready to be transferred. Hon. Frederick Robie, president of the Board of Trustees of the Gorham Seminary, and chairman of the Building Committee, pre-

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

sented the building to the State in the following able and appropriate address :

ADDRESS OF HON. FREDERICK ROBIE.

" FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE STATE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,-In behalf of the citizens of Gorham I welcome you as participators in tho exercises of this interesting occasion. I could wish that your coming bad been at a milder season of the year. We are not without a laudable pride in the summer beauties of our natural scenery, and under a warmer sky, instead of a cold December merning. we would have challenged your admiration. As it is, we trust you will find a compensation in the interesting ceremonies before us.

" I am delegated and instructed by the town of Gorham, also aet- ing under the direction of the trustees of Gorham Seminary, and in their behalf, respectively, am prepared to present to the State of Maine a deed, July executed, of the real and personal property which was contemplated should be given to the State as a consideration for the loention, establishment, and maintenance of a State Nermal School in the town of Gorham.

" The conditions on which the location was to be made are fully set forth by an act and resolve of the last Legislature of the State. The parties whom I have the honor to represent, fully believing in the local and general advantages which were to acerue from necepting the conditions, readily consented to bear the pecuniary burden and other responsibilities which were necessary to be carried in order to seenre the location and maintenance of a State Normal School. On this interesting occasion, in behalf of my fellow-tewnsmen, I thauk the official representatives of the State for the opportunity given us to test our sincerity and faith in the future success of the Institution, the buildings of which are now completed. In carly spring, after a preliminary but thorough examination of all our Academy and Semi- nary property, plans and specifications were executed, and a request was made by the State authorities for more extensive grounds, also the erection of a new school building was urged on a broader scale than was at first contemplated. These requirements, in the judg- ment of the State authorities, were considered essential for a suc- cessful school, and a compliance therewith on our part became necessary to secure its location. The proposition was an abandon- ment of the old Academy and its grounds for Normal School purposes.

" It was a plan entirely different from our previous intentions and declarations, and called for a much larger outlay of money than bad ever been contemplated. After some besitancy and deliberation the proposition was unanimously accepted by all of the parties inter- ested, and fortunately the wisdom of the course bas become apparent to all. An eligible and spacions Jot was selected by the State authorities, and immediately purchased by the trustees uf Gorham Seminary.

" Active work followed, and the 'corner-stone' of the new building was laid six months ago. From that early period the supervision and examination of the many details incident to the progress of the work bave received the careful attention of a competent and skillful architect, under the watchful eare and direction of the State Normal Schoul Board of Trustees. After a recent inspection of the entire work of the new building and Seminary, I am informed that this honorable Board, officially representing the State, are fully satisfied that all of the conditions and requirements have been substantially met and performed by the parties that I represent; und they baru expressed n willingness to accept the same, and further declare that the State of Maine on its part may properly receive charge of the entire property for purposes indicated by the action of the last Legislature.

"The new building is now complete ; it tells its own story. We invite a careful personal inspection from the public of its external and internal arrangements. We have the pleasure and satisfaction to point out and name some of the considerations of valne which are spread out before us connected with this undertaking. The deed which I hold conveys the recent purchase of land on which the Normal School building has been erected. The spot and associations which surround it aro interesting and historic, particularly so to an inhabitant of Gorham. It is a part of the original lut of our carliest settlers, and the title comes from a lineal descendant of the same family and name ( MeLellan) which furnished the deed and title for the lot on which the old Academy stands in close proximity. The summit on which the Normal School building has been erected com-

mands an extensive and splendid prospect. In a southerly direction we notice the blue waters of the Atlantic, on whose broad bosom as many as fifty sailing vessels ean frequently be seen by uid of the eye alone. The brave men of the ocean, as they pass and repass this high elevation, can easily recognize the publie building on its summit. The farmer, mechanie, and man of business, as they hurry along tho grent public thoroughfares which run in full sight of this building, must be impressed with its importance and use. Buildings uf this character, so conspicuous, become public monuments, which indicate the sentiment of the people. They inspire the beholder with confi- dence in the future. Far towards the north and west are seen the rocky but cultivated bills of uld Oxford, and fartber still the White Mountains, the highlands and granite hills of New Hampshire, and at sherter distances we see numerous villages with prominent eburch spires; between these are spread out the happy rural homes of the farmers uf Yurk and Cumberland, and thus a grand panorama invites and captivates the eye as it follows along a beautiful and extended landscape. As we turn te the west and south, Mt. Ilope, the high- lands of York County, and the fertile valleys of Saco are ours in sight. Towards the east are the neighboring towns of Westbrook, Windbam, Cumberland, and even Androscoggin County is seen in the far distance. Io full view is the city of Portland, with its hos- pital, many church spires, and public schools,-' The Forest City,' ... it sits proudly on its own hills, 'the gem of the sea.'

"Pardon me, if we change the scope of our vision and look directly about us. The summit and the building which stands upon it are seen from nearly every home in town. It readily commands nearly every spot that is memorable in the history of our town. Let us panse and look upon an interesting and historic pietre : in plain sight is the farm-lot of the first settler, the spet where the first tree was felled by the woodman's axe, the forest home of Capt. Jubn Phinney, and the eleared grounds once uceupied by bis neighbors,- the Cloudmans, Melellans, Watsons, Moshiers, Hamblins, and Irishes, -families of olden times; the spot where the Bryant family was massacred by the Indians, April 19, 1746; the hill on which stood the uld fort where all our carly inhabitants gathered for mutual pro- tection and safety, and during a residence of seven long years were the subjects of untold suffering, keen privations, dire want, and constant fears. Consecrated spot ! where the gospel was first preached and the early schoolmaster was at home; where manly heroism was developed and the better hereditary characteristics of our people were formed; where the seeds of loyalty wore suwn and took root, fully ripe when the crisis of our Revolutionary history called for a hardy race of brave men. Such were thu representatives of the families who lived in the fort on yonder bill. At every turn of the wheel which marks or measures an era of progress let the chain con- necting us with the past continue unbroken but lengthenod, so that a union may ever be perfect in memory between the present genera- tion and our ancestors. Near by the Normal School building the eye rests upon the soldiers' monument. It will teach a silent but per- petual lesson to our youth, that the memory and deeds of brave and loyal meu never die; and although an bumble patriot soldier may sleep forever far, far from home, he is ever remembered by a grateful and intelligent people. We cannot pass by the old Academy build- ing, which is the nearest neighbor to the Normal Schoul. It bas a remarkable history, commencing three-quarters uf a century ago; not only revered by all for its antiquity, but still more for what it hns dono for science and learning. There is a strong and abiding sentiment of attachment for this old temple of learning, and it is by nu means confined to our own citizens; for it is the Alma Mater of a numerous and distinguished Alumni scattered throughout our Stato and found in far-distant homes. The names of the former promi- nent men uf our town are connected with its early history,-Judge Stephen Longfellow, Judge William Gorham, Hon. Lothrop Lewis, and Dr. Dudley Folsom. The Irishes, MeLellans, Phinneys, and many others were persevering in their efforts and generous with their means to establish the Academy. They were public-spirited men who sleep in yonder graveyard, but their memories are still attached to and preserved in that building of beautiful proportion and model. Its heavy and reliable frame of oak has outlived thu shade-trees that surrounded it, and looks as if it might defy the storms of centuries. There is a determination that it shall be faith- fully preserved, and long may it stand; the shadows of the two buildings will meet and blend fraternally together,-the une repre- seuts the past, the other the present, generation.

293

TOWN OF GORHAM.

" The Seminary brick building, which was erected in 1836, at a cost of $20,000, and dedicated in the year 1837, has been thoroughly re- paired, heated by steam, and the deed which has been executed eon- veys the same to the State, together with a large quantity of personal property. It will make a valuable and convenient dormitory for teachers and students. The new brick building which has been erected for the use of the Normal School, and about to be conveyed to the State, is nearly perfect in its architecture and design ; it is built and finished of the best material, well ventilated, with steam heating apparatus, costly furniture, and everything connected with it has been enrefully arranged with every modern improvement. It will benr close inspection and stand the test of criticism.

" To accomplish so much, the liberality of our town and the private resources of our citizens have been appealed to, and there has always been a ready and willing response. The amount of money that has been raised by our citizens, and expended by the committee, to secure the location of the Normal School, exceeds $28,000. The deed, which I shall have the honor to deliver to the State, conveys real and per- sonal property which cannot be estimated in value by a less sum than $40,000. We have endeavored to meet our promises and comply with every condition enjoined upon us, and the Normal School is ready to start on its high mission. We place implicit confidence in the faith and strong arm of the State of Maine that it will meet its obligations and do its part liberally, and as the result of continued wise legisla- tion, we prediet that this new educational enterprise will be honored and respected.

" I have stated within narrow limits and under some disadvantages a few points, and have made such remarks as the present oceasion naturally suggests. I must now draw to a close, and it becomes my pleasant duty to present and deliver to your Excellency, representing the State of Maine, the property herein described, to wit: the Normal School building, contents, and real estate, containing 5 acres of land ; the brick seminary, contents, and real estate, containing 3 acres of land. The property is considered valuable, but the associations and memories that cling to it are dear and sacred. In the Seminary, we part with an old friend and a fond relationship, but the cloud has a silver lining, for the future holds out brighter promises; and at the commencement of this new departure, in behalf of the trustees, who have so long labored for its best interests, also in behalf of my towns- men, I promise the State that there will be the same continued sym- pathy, and determined effort for the advancement and success of this new enterprise, that has been our pleasure and duty to bestow upon the old. I cannot better conclude my remarks than by repeating an extract from an address delivered by the Rev. Reuben Nason seventy- two years ago, on the occasion of the de lication of Gorham Academy.

"Ile was a man of wisdom and righteousness, and during a distio- guished service of twenty-eight years among this people as principal and instructor of the academy was honored of all men, and the fol- lowing words which he then uttered, probably taken from the only printed copy in existence, will be interesting to our older citizens who were onee his popils: ' Inbabitants of this town aud vicinity,-To beheld commodious and elegant mansions rising where lately was a dreary wilderness; to behold the securities, the comforts, and delights of civilized life enjoyed, where beasts, and men no less fierce than they, formerly roamed ; to behold the refined and liberal arts sup- planting the barbarity and ignorance of savage life; and the divine religion of the Prince of Peace taking the place of horrid supersti- tion, must afford exalting pleasure to every good and generous mind. Permit the speaker to congratulate you upon the flourishing state of things among and around you, and especially to offer you his warm congratulations upon your possession of means to train your rising hopes to virtue and usefulness.

". Much praise is due to our civil fathers for their readiness to in- corporate and endow this nursery of learning. But to your liberal and spirited exertions are we indebted for its present respectable ap- pearaoce. Without your fostering care it must have langnished, and many years have elapsed before it conld possess its present vigor and stability. May you be rewarded hy the gratitude, the improvement, and usefulness of its children. A richer reward generous minds will not require. Encouraged by your example may new benefactors arise, who shall supply by their liberality what is yet wanting. Finally, may the Author of every good gift, and Governor of the world, take the institution under his holy protection. May he preside over it and bless it. May he furnish its instructors and overseers with wisdom and discretion, and feed its pupils with knowledge and understand-

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 77

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 780

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780