USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Morristown > History of Morristown, Vermont > Part 9
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Thus Peoples Academy was launched, and the sacrifices and aspirations of its founders must always be a challenge to its friends of later years.
In 1851 the catalogue contained the work of the Classical Course :
FIRST YEAR
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
Andrews & Stoddard's
Grammar reviewed
Latin Grammar
Andrews & Stoddard's Latin Reader
Latin Reader continued
3rd Quarter Latin Reader finished
4th Quarter Caesar's
Commentaries
Exercises in writing Latin
Exercises in
writing Latin
... ..
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
SECOND YEAR
1st Quarter Caesar's Commentaries
2nd Quarter
Virgil commenced
Greek Grammar
Greek continued
3rd Quarter Greek-Anabasis
4th Quarter
Virgil continued
Virgil completed Anabasis cont.
THIRD YEAR
1st Quarter Anabasis continued Cicero's Orations Extra studies Telemaque
2nd Quarter Anabasis continued
Cicero's Orations
French-Ollendorf's Grammar Oeuvres of Jean Racine
3rd and 4th Quarter Review of Latin continued Review of Greek authors Boyer's Dictionary Corinne Declamations and compositions once in two weeks throughout the year
"Young ladies wishing to pursue the ornamental branches will have an opportunity of so doing every term of the year under the instruction of a well qualified teacher. Thorough instruction in Oil Painting given."
They who pursued the "ornamental branches" were required to pay a little more for the privilege as the tuition for music "with the use of the piano $8, on Melodeon $5, on Aeolian $5, Oil Painting with use of Patterns $8, Draw- ing and Water Paints, each $2."
While in accordance with the spirit of the age, the Classical subjects were stressed, the Trustees were not unmindful of the so-called practical studies, and in 1855 a Scientific Department was added, and in the catalogue of that year they stated it was their purpose to make it cor- respond to the Scientific and Agricultural schools in various parts of the country. It included Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Surveying, Chemistry, Agricultural Chem- istry, Geology, Botany and Mineralogy, in addition to
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
History and English. The school was doubtless as well equipped to teach these subjects as most of the schools of the state.
In the second year the number of students had increased to 169, or more than doubled, thus farther justifying the faith of the founders.
In the catalogue of 1852 was included the following letter from Ex-Governor Horace Eaton, first State Super- intendent of Schools:
"To the Trustees of the People's Academy, at Morrisville, Vt.,
"Gentlemen:
"In accordance with your request I attended the examinations held on the 11th and 12th inst. in the above named institution under charge of Mr. Baker and his able assistants and while I would carefully avoid speaking more favorably than strict truth would warrant, I should on the other hand be doing less than justice if I did not say that I was highly pleased with the evidence presented that a judicious and faithful system of instruction had been pursued; for the character of the system was clearly mani- fested in its results. Indeed the indications of accurate and thorough scholarship both in the languages, Latin and French, and in Mathematics including Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry, were, I am free to say, extremely gratify- ing and such as I did not expect to see exhibited by pupils of such age as those examined had attained to.
"At the closing exhibition also, the original produc- tions in the form of Orations, Compositions, and Dialogues displayed generally-and some of them in a very eminent degree, a power of discrimination, an accuracy in the use of language, a correctness of taste, and a reach of thought, which were not merely creditable to their authors, but such as would be not unworthy of those who had reached maturer years.
"Briefly and finally, I can freely say, that I believe the People's Academy under its present teachers is doing a noble service in the cause of education.
"Yours truly, "H. EATON.
"Middlebury, Vt. "May 14, 1852."
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
One can appreciate the satisfaction this letter brought to both friends. and students of the institution, but his sympathy must go out to the students who had to pass through the ordeal of such a public examination. One year the Examining Committee consisted of the Rev. Septimius Robinson of Morrisville, the Rev. Edwin Wheelock of Cambridge, Prin. C. H. Heath of Plainfield, the Rev. R. H. Barton of Morrisville, the Rev. Eli Ballou of Montpelier, P. K. Gleed, A. B., of Waterville, and Hon. George Wilkins of Stowe. When to such a board was added an ex-governor of the state, together with a com- pany of interested friends and relatives, one may well believe that each student would do his utmost to acquit himself with credit.
It must be remembered that the students of that day received much practice in public speaking. . It was a day when oratory was at its height. In the second catalogue it is stated that Rhetorical Exercises are attended to weekly and also the fact that "there is connected with the school under the immediate supervision of the principal a flourishing Literary Society, called the Society of Social Friends; the exercises of which consist of written and extemporaneous discussions, declarations, essays, Letters of Friendship, of Recommendation, of Introduction, billet doux, etc., calculated to promote the advancement of gen- eral literature in the mind of the student, and at the same time prepare him for the relations of active life."
For a time the organization was known as The Society of Literary Improvement and following is a report of one of its weekly meetings:
"Sept. 22, 1852
"Pursuant to adjournment, the Society of Literary Improvement assembled at the People's Academy and was called to order by the President. The Secretary being absent, C. Swasey was appointed Sec. Pro Tem. The pro- ceedings of the last meeting were then read. The Society then listened to an oration by C. Herrick next
listened to a ladies essay by Julia A. Raymond. The following question was then discussed, Resolved that the literature of the past fifty years has been more favorable than unfavorable to Christianity. Discussed in the Aff. by Messrs. Aiken and Durkee. Neg. by Messrs. Swasey and Allen. Not decided by the President. The Emblem was then read by the Editors followed by the reading of
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
the Rising Star by the Editress. The Emblem, for the
first one, had a very encouraging appearance. The Rising Star, though it has but lately made its appearance in the Horizon, shone with almost dazzling brightness. The following question was then chosen for discussion in one week, Resolved that war is conducive of more evil than intemperance. Disputants, Aff. Messrs. Durkee and Davis, Neg. Messrs. Gleed and Robinson. C. Swasey was appointed to write the gentleman's essay for one week and Sarah Somerby the Ladies essay. George Waterman delivered an oration. No other business before the society voted to adjourn one week.
"C. D. SWASEY, Sec. Pro Tem."
Other questions that claimed their attention about that time were: "Resolved that the Maine liquor law ought to be introduced into Vermont. Resolved that the prin- ciples of the Whig party tend more to advance the pros- perity of the United States than those of the Democratic party. Resolved that a monarchial form of government has more permanence than a republic." And in 1853 they debated the following : "Resolved that women ought to be allowed the right of elective franchise." It was decided in the negative by the President, but in the affirmative by the House.
These meetings of the S. S. F., as the society was popularly called for most of the time, were kept up for more than sixty years, and many a man and woman all over the country can testify to the value he or she derived from these lyceums where training was given in presiding over a public gathering, in debating, and various other forms of self-expression.
In 1855 and 1856 two other literary organizations were formed, the A. D. A. and the V. E. A., the former for the boys and the latter for the girls. At the close of each term these societies held public exercises consisting of music, recitations, essays, etc. At first these associa- tions had the added attraction of secrecy, although always under the control and supervision of the principal. Later the societies were discontinued, but the custom of holding exhibitions at the end of the fall and the winter terms, usually by the Junior Class, was kept up until 1913.
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
The prosperity of the school continued until the Civil War curtailed its activities. In 1860 over 200 students were registered, but the war clouds which were then piling up cast their shadow even over this remote village. In 1861 one of the boys at the closing rhetorical exercises took as the subject of his oration, "The Horrors of Civil War." Soon the care-free lads, then students, were to know from actual experience what those horrors were. The story of their splendid achievements is told elsewhere in this record. It is enough to say here that when Prin. A. J. Blanchard answered the call to a higher service, resigned as head of the school and marched away as Captain of Company E of the Third Vermont, he took with him a goodly number of his former students.
Soon after the war an important change was made in the management of the Academy. In April, 1866, the following resolution was adopted : "Resolved that B. L. Rand, President of the Board of Trustees, be directed to lease the Academy Building, library, apparatus, and the appurtinences to school district Number One in Morrisville so long as wood grows and water runs upon the terms and conditions that said school district Number One shall during said term keep and maintain a High School or Academy and in all respects carry out and fulfill the stipulations of the lease of said premises by Jedediah Safford to The People's Academy and with the further consideration that said school district shall at all times keep said Academy buildings. in suitable repair and well insured and said district shall have the right to repair, enlarge, or alter said buildings in such manner as they may deem advisable for the purpose above set forth and in con- sideration that said district accept the lease of said property as above set forth, the treasurer of The People's Academy is hereby directed to pay annually to the treasurer of said district all moneys received by him during said time for rents of public lands or otherwise." Thus was closed a picturesque period in the history of the insti- tution when it passed out of the private control of its Board of Trustees whose duties from henceforth were largely honorary.
This transfer of the management was followed by some changes in the policy of the Academy. For example,
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حارس حضر المالي للقيم
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٢٢-١-١٢
بت بالبسـ
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ء
SECOND PEOPLES ACADEMY
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ma Mi llia"
PEOPLES ACADEMY, COPLEY BUILDING
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
in 1868, diplomas were granted and the first class was for- mally graduated with the following program and members :
Class motto-Finis coronat opus
Music
Prayer
Music
Oration, Destiny A. P. Grout
Oration, The Worker and His Work C. H. Slocum
Oration, Literature and Its Influence H. M. Tenney
Oration, Memory of the Past, its Lessons for the Future H. E. Carter
Oration, Vermont and Her Defenders with
a valedictory address
A. A. Niles
Presentation of Diplomas
Music
Benediction
Music by the Morrisville Silver Cornet Band
District Number One was keenly alive to the educa- tional needs of its children, and both Academy and graded buildings were proving inadequate. . So in 1874 the Academy building, erected at so much sacrifice by Thomas Tracy and his associates, was moved to Pleasant Street, where it is now occupied by the Lamoille Grange and Lanpher's feed store, and the building used for more than fifty years was constructed with the idea of housing both grades and Academy in the same structure. The grades occupied the first floor, the Academy students the second floor, while on the third was a commodious hall in which all public exercises were held.
These enlarged facilities were naturally emphasized and the catalogue for 1875 and 1876 was quite elaborate. The classes are listed as Senior Class, Middle Class, Junior Class, and Preparatory Class, which included the sixth and seventh grades. The course of study for the grades was included and the teaching force consisted of A. J. Blanchard, Principal, with a preceptress, teacher of vocal and instrumental music, teacher of penmanship, and three grade teachers. The class of '75, the first to be graduated from the new building, numbered seven, four boys and three girls. It is indicative of the type of student and of the character of the school that all of the boys went to college, three to Dartmouth and one to the University of
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
Vermont. Thus the Academy was the head of the school system of District Number One, the catalogue emphasized the fact and the diplomas were granted from Peoples Academy and the Morrisville Graded School.
By a change in the state law in 1892 the districts were abolished and the year following H. H. Powers, P. K. Gleed, and J. C. Noyes were elected by the trustees a committee to confer with a similar committee from District Number One to arrange for the management of the Academy under the new system. Tuition for the pupils from without the district was done away with and the entire town has been free to enjoy its advantages in return for the payment of the town school tax.
In 1895 the Lamoille County Summer School was established and its two weeks' sessions were held in the Academy. This was made possible through the increase in state aid to summer schools which the General Assembly of 1894 granted, and such sessions were held for several years. Thus the Academy contributed to the larger educational life of the county.
In 1912 and 1913, in order to keep in line with similar movements in other High Schools in the state, the curricu- lum was expanded to include a Teacher Training Course, a Home Economics Course, and a course in Agriculture. The latter never seemed to be in great demand and was dropped after a few years. The Teacher Training Course was popular, but its close proximity to the Johnson Normal School led the State Department to give it up.
In line with the policy quite general throughout the state, in 1919 seventh and eighth grades were abolished and a Junior High School established in their stead. These various changes and additions would have been impossible had not more room been provided. In 1899 the town voted to build a graded school building and a pleasant four-room structure was erected, which left the entire building free for the use of the Academy. This new graded building was soon outgrown, and in. 1917 money was appropriated for enlarging it; and a $25,000 addition was made which doubled its capacity. In the basement of this new building were located the Home Economies Department and the science laboratory, while the Junior High rooms were on the second floor except for a short time.
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ALEXANDER HI. COPLEY
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
The year 1927 marked another epoch in the history of Peoples Academy, for at that time the gift of its beautiful new home was made.
The story of poor boys who have gone to the city and there won fame and fortune is not unusual in this country, and often they have remembered their birthplaces with generous benefactions, but it is doubtful if any of them ever made any more practical manifestation of their love for their birthplaces than did Mr. A. H. Copley, donor of Peoples Academy-Copley Building and Copley Hospital. Alexander H. Copley was born in 1856 in the old hotel, the first Morrisville House, his mother being the widow of Mr. F. L. Matthews, so long its proprietor. At the age of ten he was left an orphan without resources and went for a time to live with relatives in Elmore and elsewhere. When old enough to plan for himself, he returned to Morrisville and learned the drug business in the A. O. Gates store. Then, like many another Vermont lad, he left his native state for Boston. There in addition to his drug business he began to deal in real estate. His industry, frugality, and foresight were rewarded and manhood found him successful in the best sense of the word.
But his home town still kept its grip upon his heart strings. To it he returned for his bride, Miss Lucy Page, daughter of Charles R. Page of the Malvern Stock Farm, and he bought the height of land known as Thomas Hill, which, as a boy, he had coveted because of the wonderful view to be obtained from it. The death of his wife changed the plans he had made for erecting a summer home upon the plateau, and in time he began to think of making some large benefaction. At first he considered erecting a hospital, but a study of local conditions led him to the conclusion that one such as he had planned was inadvisable, although the idea of a hospital was not given up as his later donation proved. At length he decided that in no better way could he serve the community than by improving the facilities of Peoples Academy. At first he intended to give a sum of money toward the erection of an adequate schoolhouse on the site of the building then standing. It soon became evident there was not room enough to construct such with sufficient grounds, so he offered to build, at his own expense, a modern building on the hill, and present it to the town on the condition that the town would remove the old Academy, and construct
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
and maintain a suitable approach and connect it with the village lighting, water, and sewerage systems. At a special meeting the town gladly complied with his condi- tions and during 1928 and 1929 the building was in process of construction.
On September 11, 1929, it was opened for use, but its formal dedication was not held until Commencement of the June following, which was a gala event for the entire town. All the business places and many private residences were decorated with P. A. colors, Green and Gold, and pennants of the same color outlined the approach, now called Copley Avenue, and Main Street.
The event had called together a large number of Alumni and they, together with townspeople, filled the auditorium and halls long before the hour set for the open- ing exercises. The following program was carried out:
DEDICATION EXERCISES
PEOPLES ACADEMY-COPLEY BUILDING
MORRISVILLE, VERMONT
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1930 EIGHT P. M.
PROGRAM
Hon. Frederick G. Fleetwood, Presiding
Music
Peoples Academy Orchestra
Invocation Rev. G. E. Goodliffe
Presentation of the Building Mr. Alexander H. Copley
Acceptance for the Town Mr. C. H. A. Stafford
Chairman of the Board of School Directors
Music
Peoples Academy Orchestra
Acceptance for the State Mr. Clarence H. Dempsey Commissioner of Education, State of Vermont
Vocal Solo
Miss Grace Limoge
Dedication Address George M. Powers, Class of '79 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
Acceptance for Peoples Academy Students
Leon Morris White President of the Senior Class
Rev. G. A. Coburn:
Benediction
Reception to Mr. A. H. Copley
The building is a beautiful structure, 60x145 feet, constructed of tapestry brick with granite trimmings and pillars of Indiana limestone at the entrance. On the first floor there is an auditorium capable of seating 450, with study and recitation rooms; on the second floor are the laboratories, drafting room, commercial rooms, sewing room, etc., while in the basement the cooking rooms, manual training department, locker rooms, lunch room and a modern gymnasium are found. The building is equipped with all the modern appliances, such as humidi- fiers, automatic heat control, telephones in each room, electric clocks, and adequate fire protection.
The large tract of land permitted laying out a large athletic field north of the building, while the beautiful lighting of the avenue, the terracing of the embankments on either side of the approach, and the grounds at the brow of the hill have made a beauty spot of this height and have given the school a home worthy of its past and an inspiration for its future.
PEOPLES ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The present Alumni Association was the outgrowth of a meeting held on December 29, 1892, to which all graduates of the school had been invited. At this gather- ing, which was largely attended, a permanent organization was effected by the election of the following officers: President, Mr. Thomas C. Cheney; Vice-President, Miss Lillian J. Leach; Secretary, Miss Mellie M. Slayton; Treasurer, Miss Alice C. Doty.
The object of the Association was "for the purpose of helping the Academy in every possible way and of annually bringing together the former students, thereby renewing old acquaintances and forming new ones."
The class of 1892 probably originated the idea of the Alumni Banquet, for as a feature of their commencement they held a class banquet. The June following the first annual banquet of Peoples Academy Alumni Association
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
was held on the night of graduation at The Randall, with the following program:
Toastmaster, Hon. H. Henry Powers
President's Welcome
The School and the Town
Our Students in the Rebellion
Poem The Legal Fraternity
Prophecy
The Academy and U. V. M.
Hon. R. W. Hulburd Geo. M. Powers
Oration
T. C. Cheney Hon. G. W. Hendee Hon. U. A. Woodbury Lavinia L. Plumley Hon. P. K. Gleed M. S. Stone
Thus was inaugurated a custom which has proved one of the pleasantest features of each succeeding Commence- ment, and has proved a strong factor in stimulating loyalty to the school. At first the banquets were always held at the hotel, but as the numbers increased, the hotel was unable to accommodate them and they have been held in the vestries of the different churches. The Alumni Association has meant much in the life of the school and doubtless will continue to in the future.
PRINCIPALS OF PEOPLES ACADEMY
The high reputation which Peoples Academy early established and has since maintained has been due in part to the hearty support of the town, in part to its housing and equipment which have always been abreast of the times, but most of all to the excellent character of its teaching force and especially of its principals. Some of them, as was the custom in early days, taught in order to secure money with which to fit themselves for other pro- fessions, but most of them chose teaching as a life work, and many went from this school to important fields of educational endeavor.
It is impossible at this time to gather data concerning all who have guided the destiny of the institution, but a brief survey of the ones whose records can be obtained seems fitting.
This educational infant, brought forth at so much sacrifice and effort, was entrusted to the care of Ozias C.
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
Pitkin, who came from a well known Montpelier family, being the son of Alfred and Orpha W. Pitkin of that town. He was born in 1827 and twenty years later was graduated from Dartmouth College and at once took up his duties at Peoples Academy. After two years, he went to Taunton, Mass., where he taught five years and found his bride in the person of Caroline Muenscher. In 1854 he went to Chelsea, Mass., where he was principal of the High School for sixteen years. Then on account of grow- ing deafness he gave up teaching, and moved to Syracuse, N. Y., where he went into business as an analytical and manufacturing chemist. In 1905 he had a stroke of paralysis, from which he never recovered, and died at the home of a daughter in Elmira, N. Y., in 1906.
The second principal, Melvin Dwinell, was unique in that he was the only head of this school and one of the few Vermonters who wore the Confederate gray. He was born at East Calais, Vt., in 1825, fitted for college at Montpelier Academy and received his degree from the University of Vermont in 1849. He came to Morrisville that fall. After two years he went south to Georgia, where he taught for three years, and then bought "The Rome Courier." When the Civil War broke out, he was pro-Union until Georgia seceded. Then, like so many other Southerners, he placed his allegiance to his state above that to the Union, and enlisted in the Eighth Georgia Volunteers and finally attained the rank of cap- tain. He was wounded in the service, and at the close of the war returned to Rome to find that his printing plant had been wrecked and that he must begin at the bottom if he would again build up his business. Of that new
beginning he says: "I soon got type enough to print small circulars, hand bills, etc., using a planer and mallet for lack of a press." "The Courier" was re-established and he was its publisher for more than a quarter of a century. In his later years he traveled extensively, both in this country and abroad, and published a volume, entitled "Common Sense Views of Foreign Lands." His death occurred at Rome, Georgia, in 1887.
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