USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York, from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907 > Part 34
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That first administration has fixed definitely for the University of Rochester its chief aim, to train young people for effective, intelligent living. This was clearly recognized in the original plan of in- struction. Dr. Anderson did more, however; he made it clear that success in realizing the end of liberal culture depends more on the method than on the matter of instruction. It remained for the administration of President Hill to reassert the purpose of the University of Rochester to provide a liberal culture by means of modern natural and physical science, side by side with "the sciences of mind." The most significant accomplishments under the too short leadership of Dr. Hill were (1) the organization of a department of biology, and the enlargement of the department of physics, with the beginnings of the laboratories essential to the modern pursuit of these sciences, and (2) a complete recasting of the course of study, allow- ing for enlarged freedom of election by the stu- dents, while preserving such a nucleus of pre- scribed work as would secure for every student that "regular, even, general culture" which the origi- nal curriculum aimed to give. This modernizing of the work of instruction continued with equal steadiness and vigor under the acting presidency of Professors Lattimore and Burton. President Rhees's administration has been a rounding out of the scientific development in the erection and equipment of the Eastman laboratories for physics and biology, and in a reorganization of the scicn- tific course of study. Moreover, there is promise of a revival of another early purpose, namely to give instruction in applied science. This promise is apparent in the exceptional equipment of the
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physical laboratory, and is made definite by Mr. placed in a growing community, its campus is Carnegie's offer of a building to be devoted specifi- cally to applied science. It would be an error, however, to think that the recent large develop- ment in scientifie lines marks a change in the con- trolling ideal of the university. The aim still is to give an education which shall develop in each student the most efficient and intelligent manhood. To this end the department of language and literature, mathematics, and economics have been strengthened by the appointment of additional in- structors; and lectures on the history of art have THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE. been maintained for students in the college, and for citizens in Rochester.
During the first half century of the life of the institution, the instruction was offered to young men only. In 1900 the doors of the university werc opened to young women also. This result was secured by the efforts of a group of earnest women in Rochester, who raised $50,000 to add to the endowment of the university. In this un- dertaking these devoted women had the sympathy and active assistance of the late Susan B. Anthony. Her friends now propose to erect a building in her memory for the use of the women students. Since 1900 young women and young men have appeared on eqnal footing in the classes and laboratories. The social and class organizations of the men and women are kept distinct.
A word should be added concerning the relig- ious interests of the college. It was founded by devoted Christian men in the spirit of religious service. From the ontset students of all faiths have been welcomed-Protestants of every denom- ination, Roman Catholics and Jews. The desire of the faculty has ever been for the deepening in each student of his own religious life, and to that end each student has been commended to his own church in the city for work and worship.
In conclusion, it is manifestly the purpose of the university to be not simply a university in Roches- ter, but the University of Rochester. Not in the sense that it will be indifferent to interests more remote. The generous gifts, and the numerous students who from the first have come from all parta of the state and beyond it, make such indif- ference an impossibility. Moreover the scattering of the graduates all over the world insures ao ecumenical constituency. Yet the institution is
near the heart of the city, its library and labora- tories are of importance to more than its students. The nniversity aims to he a benefactor to the whole community, not only by offering opportunities for higher education to its youth, but by being a center from which may flow ont to all who will receive it the fullest possible helpfulness in the way of scientific knowledge, literary inspiration and civic enlightenment.
Of all the educational agencies of Rochester no other, with the exception of the publie schools, ex- ercises so wide an influence as the Mechanics In- stitute, for the instruction given there every year to thousands of pupils of both sexes reaches, in one way or another, into most of the homes of the city. It was really, in every sense, founded by Captain Henry Lomb, but he preferred that oth- ers, also, should be interested in the project, and so, in September, 1885, the following paper, which is explanatory of the original purpose, was circulated, the signatures of most of the leading manufacturers here being obtained in a few days:
"We, the undersigned, manufacturers and em- ployers, consider the establishment of free evening schools in this eity for instruction in drawing, and such other branches of studies as are most import- ant for industrial pursuits, of great advantage to our people. We believe that, besides the imme- diate benefit these schools would bring to many they would greatly assist in gradually securing to our city the technical instruction and training which brings so valuable and beneficial results wherever it exists, and which is admitted to be of vital importance to our conntry. We consider it proper that our manufacturers and employers should take the first step in this matter, and cor- dially invite them and all those who take an inter- est in this undertaking, to meet in the common - council room, October 1st, to consult about the best ways and means for the establishment of such school, as well as other matters, which may assist practical education."
At the same time a circular was put forth from the University of Rochester, signed by President Anderson and others, speaking of the great inter- est felt in the enterprise, and closing by saying:
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"It would not only develop the talent of our young artisans, but also attract to this city the best talent of the country. We therefore desire to express our most cordial sympathy with this movement, and give it our most earnest commen- dation."
At the meeting indicated, which was largely at- tended, a constitution was adopted, with the fol- lowing as the principal clauses: "The name of this institution shall be 'The Mechanics Institute of the City of Rochester.' The object shall be to promote such practical education as may enable those persons receiving instruction to become bet- ter fitted for their occupations in life. The means by which it is proposed to carry out this object shall be the establishment of a school for drawing and designing, the giving of lectures and holding of discussions on practical subjects, and such other instruction as may be found useful in furthering the sims of the association. Any person subscrib- ing not less than one dollar may become a member of this association. These dues shall constitute a general fund. Contributions of larger amounts shall be used for purposes designated by the do- nors." The organization of the Institute was then completed by the election of Henry Lomb, as pres- ident ; Henry M. Ellsworth, vice-president; Wil- liam F. Peck, corresponding secretary ; Max Low- enthal, recording secretary, and John H. Stedman, treasurer, in addition to whom the following were chosen as directors: John G. Allen, S. B. Arm- strong, E. R. Andrews, F. H. Clement, J. T. Cunningham, C. E. Fitch, J. W. Gillis, J. S. Gra- ham, H. S. Greenleaf, C. A. Hayden, D. T. Hunt, S. A. Lattimore, S. II. Lowe, F. H. Makk, James Malley, Henry Michaels, E. M. Moore, sr., Au- gust Pappert, Herman Pfaefflin, William Purcell, Frank Ritter, L. P. Ross, J. A. Schneider, Wil- liam See, John Siddons and Leo Stein, together with M. B. Anderson, president of the University of Rochester; Thomas J. MeMillan, president of the board of education, and S. A. Ellis, superin- tendent of publie schools, as directors ex oficio.
Within a few weeks the trustees engaged the services of Eugene C. Colby, whose experience as superintendent of drawing in the schools of Lawrence, Mass., for several years previous to that time, qualified him to be the principal of the new institution. In accordance with notices published in the daily papers, applications for admission to
the school were first received on the 23d day of November, and during that evening more than four hundred applicants enrolled their names. Evening classes were formed at once-one in free- hand drawing, one in design, two in mechanical, one in machine and one in architectural drawing. During the first school year the Institute occu- pied, by favor of the board of education, the large room on the upper floor of the Free Academy building, but the capacity of the hall was not suf- ficient for the accommodation of the pupils, and in the following autumn the Institute was removed to the Masonic Temple, on Exchange street, where it remained for eight years. This epoch was marked by the speedy growth of the Institute in every way, in the augmentation of the number of pupils, in the constant formation of new classes and in the increase of the corps of instructors. In October, 1887, a free kindergarten branch of the Institute was opened which was continued throughout the winter, to the great benefit of the litile scholars attending it. After that it was discontinued, because the board of education, ow- ing to the persistent representation of the trustees of the Institute, then established the system in four of the public schools of this city.
Allusion has been made in a previous chapter to the old Rochester Atheneum, which for several years prior to this time had been in a condition so profoundly dormant as to be practically defunct. It possessed, however, a charter singularly broad and liberal, as well as a small amount of funds which had lain unused for some time, and it was for the purpose of obtaining these desirable things that the new and vigorous Institute consented to the consolidation. This was carried into effect on the 4th of June, 1891, the charter of the older or- ganization becoming thereby that of the new body, the official name of which is the Rochester Athen- æum and Mechanics Institute, though the latter portion of the title is all that is used in common parlance. At the same time Ezra R. Andrews was elected to the presidency to succeed Captain Lomb, and he retained that office until June 1st, 1899, when he was succeeded by Lewis P. Ross. Those three are the only presidents that the in- stitution has had. In 1891, also, the board of di- rectors was strengthened by the election upon it of several women-Mrs. H. S. Greenleaf, Mrs. Emil Kuichling, Mrs. T. A. O'Hare. Mrs. Gilman
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H. Perkins and Mrs. Leo Stein-and ever since then they have had some successors in that body. To their presence was largely due the establish- ment of the department of domestic science and art, in which the first classes were opened in the spring of 1893, its object being to give to the young women of Rochester a knowledge of subjects that pertain to the life and well being of the home. The variety of instruction in this has continually increased. so that it now embraces cooking, sewing, dress-making, millinery. embroidery, hygiene, bonsehold sanitation, pedagogy and physical cul- ture, with normal instruction in domestic science and art.
In 1892 the Institute became the possessor of considerable real estate, having purchased the half square (with the exception of the Jenkinson apart- ment house) bounded by the Erie canal, South Washington street, Spring street and the alley. Plans were drawn for the construction of con- nected buildings covering the entire site, and con- siderable progress had been made toward a sub- scription sufficient for the purpose, when the finan- cial panic thwarted the completion of the project and the directors had to content themselves with the erection, at a cost of $30,000, of the fire-proof building now occupied by the department of man- ual training. This was organized in 1896, two years after the Institute had moved into its new quarters. Classes in joinery were speedily formed, followed by those in wood-turning, pattern-mak- ing, forging and machine work, so that it is now a technical school, teaching most of the branches that pertain to that field. A great portion of its success is due to its first superintendent, the late William W. Murray, whose long experience in those matters qualified him to start it on a right basis and to develop it along the best lines.
The next remarkable event in the history of the Institute occurred in 1900, when George East- man purchased the half square corresponding with that already owned by the institution and erected there, facing on Plymouth avenue, a building, the work on which, begun in July, was pushed so rap- idly that the corner-stone was laid on the 15th of October and the entire structure was formally opened on the 15th of April in the following year, its cost, with that of the land on which it stands, being about $225,000. It is practically fire-proof, it is two stories in height, besides the basement, it
covers an arca of over thirty-five thousand square feet, it has a floor space, deducting the walls, of two and one-third acres, and the excessive plain- ness of its front is offset by the admirable arrange- ments of the interior, its thorough heating and its perfect ventilation in every part. Other gen- erous friends contributed to its equipment, which is valued at $50,000. The gift mentioned was ex- ceeded in amount by the benefaction of Mrs. Hen- ry H. Bevier, of New York, begun in the same year and completed a little later by her death, so that it now amounts, with accumulated interest, to nearly $300,000. Of this, $200,000 is, by the terms of her will, to be used for the erection of a fine arts building, with its equipment, the remain- der being devoted to its maintenance and to in- struction in that branch of knowledge. It is the intention of the board of directors to raise this memorial on the site of the old home of Colonel Rochester, the founder of the city, and when that is done, which it is hoped may be within the near future, the edifice will be the most imposing and ornamental in the third ward.
As the scope of the Institute widened, the need was felt of a course of instruction that should pro- vide for certain classes some academic studies com- bined with some practical training in technical work. To meet that need the department of me- chanic arts and sciences was formed in 1902, which has its own corps of instructors, strengthened by the assistance of some of those connected with other departments. The courses in this are 80 well attended as to demonstrate its usefulness. The legacy of Mrs. Bevier rendered it necessary that still another department, that of fine arts, should be formed, which was done in 1903, and, inasmuch as that bequest, with the income arising therefrom, was to be devoted exclusively to that purpose, it was considered advisable to separate it, as to ita maintenance and its direct management, from the other departments and to put it under the control of its own committee, save that the ultimate authority, with this as with the depart- ment of domestic science and art, lies with the general board of directors of the Institute. Six years ago a restaurant was started in the basement of the Eastman building, intended primarily for the comfort of those connected with the school, but the desire for its enlargement was so great that it was soon thrown open to all, and now
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three meals daily are served there to some hun- Madison university, situated at Hamilton. In dreds of people living in the neighborhood.
From the small beginning of a free drawing school the Institute has expanded, step by step, as we have seen, until it has become one of the lead- ing institutions of its kind in the country, not more than three surpassing it-the Pratt, the Drexel and the Armour-and not all those equal- ing it in every respect. Its expenses are about $70,000 a year, and as the tuition fees, which, orig- inally nothing, are still very low, come to about half of that, it leaves $35,000 to be raised an- nually by voluntary contribution, until such time as the endowment fund, now very meager, shall be sufficient to make the institution self-supporting. How well it fulfills its mission may be judged from the fact that the individual enrollment of pupils during the past school year was about thir- ty-three hundred, while the faculty has increased in number from one to forty-five, the following named being the superintendents of the different departments: Industrial arts, Allen S. Crocker ; manual training, Arthur B. Fairbanks; domestic science and art, Miss Mary I. Bliss, with Miss Helen Hollister as assistant ; mechanic arts and sciences, Roland Woodward; fine arts, Theodore H. Pond. The officers are Lewis P. Ross, presi- dent of the board of directors; Granger A. Hollis- ter and Mrs. Emil Kuichling, vice-presidents; J. Herbert Grant, recording secretary; William F. Peck, corresponding secretary ; John A. Stewart, financial secretary; John F. Brayer, treasurer; Mrs. Emil Kuichling, president of the domestic science board; Mrs. Arthur S. Hamilton, Mra. William B. Morse, Mrs. Lewis P. Ross and Mrs. William E. Hoyt, vice-presidents; Mrs. William Streeter, recording secretary; Mrs William B. Lee, corresponding secretary; Adelbert Cronise, chairman of Bevier memorial and fine arts com- mittee.
THE ROCHESTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY."
This institution, located on the corner of East avenne and Alexander street, was founded by the New York Baptist Union for Ministerial Educa- tion, a society organized May 11th, 1850. Up to this time the only Baptist school for literary and theological .training in the state of New York was
1847 many friends of education throughout the state, with a view to securing for this university a more suitable location and a more complete en- dowment, had sought to remove the institution to Rochester. This project was opposed by friends in Hamilton, legal obstacles were discovered, the question was carried into the courts, and the plan of removal was finally abandoned as impracticable.
The plan, however, of establishing a theological seminary and university at Rochester was not abandoned. " Rev. Pharcellus Church, D. D., with John N. Wilder and Oren Sage, devoted much time and energy to awakening public sen- timent in behalf of the new enterprise. A sub- scription of $130,000 was secured for the univer- sity. Five professors in Hamilton-Drs. Conant and Maginnis of the seminary and Drs. Kendrick, Raymond and Richardson of the university-re- signed their places, and accepted a call to similar positions in the new institutions at Rochester. In November, 1850, classes were organized in the Rochester Theological seminary, as well as in the University of Rochester, and instruction was be- gun in temporary quarters secured for the purpose. Many students came with their professors from Hamilton. The first class graduated from the theological seminary numbered six members, and the first published catalogue, that of 1851-52, en- rolls the names of two professors and of twenty- nine students.
Although the early history of the seminary was thus intimately connected with that of the Uni- versity of Rochester, and the two institutions at the beginning occupied the same building, there has never been any organic connection between. them, either of government or of instruction. While the university has devoted itself to the work of general college training, the Rochester Theo- logical seminary has been essentially a profes- sional school, and has aimed exclusively to fit men, by special studies, for the work of the ministry. It has admitted only college graduates and those who have been able successfully to pursue courses of study in connection with college graduates. Beginning with the two professorships, of theol- ogy and of Hebrew, it has added professorships of church history, of the New Testament, of homi- letics and pastoral theology, of elocution, of the English Bible, and of Christian ethics. Besides
"This sketch of the Theological seminary was prepared by President A. H. Strong.
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ROCHESTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WITH ALVAH STRONG HALL.
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the two original professors, Rev. Thomas J. Con- ant, D. D., and Rev. John S. Maginnis. D. D., it has numbered in its faculty the names of Ezekiel G. Robinson, John HI. Raymond, Velona R. Hotchkiss, George W. Northrup, Asahel C. Ken- drick, R. J. W. Buckland, Horatio B. Hackett, William C. Wilkinson, Howard Osgood, William Arnold Stevens, Albert H. Newman, T. Harwood Pattison, Benjamin O. True, Adelbert S. Coats, Henry E. Robins, Walter R. Betteridge and Walter Rauschenbusch, and for several years John P. Silvernail has been acting professor. At the anniversary, in May, 1903, Rev. John Henry Mason, D. D., and Rev. J. W. A. Stewart, D. D., were added to the faculty; in May, 1904, Rev. John Henry Strong, and in May, 1906, Rev. Cornelius Woelfkin, D. D. To Rev. Ezekiel G. Robinson, D. D., LL. D., however, professor in the seminary from 1853 to 1872, and from 1868 to 1872 its president, the institution probably owes more of its character and success than to any other single man. His successor in the presidency and in the chair of systematic theology is Rev. Augus- tus H. Strong, D. D., LL. D., who has now (1906) for thirty-four years held this position.
In 1852 a German department of the seminary was organized. The German Baptist churches of the country, which in 1850 were only eight in number, have now increased to more than two hundred and sixty. This constant growth has occasioned a demand for ministers with some de- gree of training. The German department is designed to meet this necessity. In 1858, Rev. Augustus Rauschenbusch, D. D., a pupil of Nean- der, was secured to take charge of this work, and in 1872 Rev. Hermann M. Schäffer was chosen as his colleague. In 1885 Rev. Jacob S. Gubel- mann, D. D., was added to the faculty. Rev. Albert J. Ramaker and Rev. Lewis Kaiser also are now professors. The course of studies in the Ger- man department is six years in length, and, being designed for young men who have had little prep- aratory training, is literary as well as theological. This course is totally distinct from the regular course of the seminary, which is accomplished in three years.
When the seminary began its existence it was wholly without endowment. The sum first sought to be secured was $75,000. This was not obtained until after ten years had passed. In 1868 the
funds of the seminary had reached $100,000; in 1874, including subscriptions of $100,000 yet un- paid, they amounted to $281,000; in 1881, includ- ing subscriptions of $179,000 yet unpaid, they amounted to $512,000; in 1904 they amounted to $1,017,204. In 1906 the magnificent hequest of the late Jolin J. Jones, of Orange, N. J., has added to the endowment of the seminary nearly $560,000, half of the income being devoted to scholarships of $150 each, and half to a fund for defraying current expenses.
During the year 1906 there has also been re- ceived from Henry Alvah Strong and others the sum of $100,000 for the erection of a dormitory building to be called the Alvah Strong hall, in memory of the giver's father, the first treasurer of the seminary, and for thirty-five years one of its trustees; $25,000 has also been contributed for alterations in the library building and for a new reading-room, to be named the Cyrus F. Paine reading-room, after the principal giver and one who for more than forty years was treasurer of the seminary. Adding to these sums the former real estate of the seminary, valued at $131,630, its library, valued at $85,063, and other property to the extent of $30,500, the total assets of the institution may now he stated as amounting to $1,946,829.
The productive endowment of the seminary now stands at $1.636,559. Although much still remains to be desired in the way of enlargement of its facilities, and although large sums may still he wisely invested in grounds, buildings and lec- tureships, whenever the generosity of its friends shall provide the means, its present condition is greatly encouraging. The comparative prosperity of later years has been largely due to the wise and liberal gifts of a few tried friends of the seminary, among whom may be mentioned the names of John B. Trevor, of Yonkers; Jacob F. Wyckoff. of New York; John D. Rockefeller, of Cleveland, Ohio; William Rockefeller, of New York; Charles Pratt, of Brooklyn; Joseph B. Hoyt, of Stamford, Conn .; James O. Pettengill, of Rochester; Eli Perry, of Albany; William A. Cauldwell, of New York; Mrs. Eliza A. Witt, of Cleveland ; Jeremiah Milbank, of New York; Byron E. Huntley, of Batavia: John J. Jones, of East Orange, N. J .; Alanson J. Fox, of Detroit,
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