Fork Union Military Academy - Skirmisher Yearbook (Fork Union, VA)

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MNASIUM GY UMNI AL n The scene of many a hard fought battle.

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FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY School Plant BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT HE ACADEMY BUILDINGS are of brick, cement, and fireproof con- struction. The type of architecture is English battlement Gothic modified to suit present-day collegiate buildings. The entire plant is heated with steam from a central heating plant located in the power house which is sepa- rated from the rest of the buildings. Buildings and grounds are lighted with electricity. HATCHER HALL Hatcher Hall, the administrative building, is the central structure of the group. Occupying as it does a commanding position on the campus, its dignity of structure and quiet simplicity of design is a fitting monument to the great beloved founder, Dr. William E. Hatcher. It contains a commodious study hall, well-equipped laboratories, library, commercial department, class-rooms with table arm chairs, administrative offices, and infirmary. The mess hall is large, well-lighted and ventilated and has an up-to-date kitchen. SNEAD HALL-THE BARRACKS This building is a three-story structure named in honor of Captain Charles G. Snead the First Vice-President of our Board of Trustees, a generous friend and benefactor of the school. It was erected in January, 1923, and is of brick and cement, a fireproof structure. It is of the very latest design in dormitory construction and is built in three units-each having its own toilets, of the latest and finest design, and shower baths. In every cadet's room is hot and cold running water, a feature found in few schools. Snead Hall also con- tains quarters for instructors. Each room is fitted for two cadets, containing all the necessary furniture. such as single beds, study table, chairs, steel locker for clothes, mirror, and lavatory with hot and cold water. The steel lockers are specially designed to take care of the equipment used in a military school and are a unique feature for a preparatory school barracks. Cadets must furnish their own pillows, broom, dust pan, blankets, bed linen and similar articles. Simmons beds and mattresses are used, insuring comfortable sleeping accommodations. The rooms are larger than those found in most school barracks and every room is an outside room, which insures proper light and ventilation. This feature of our barracks is of great value in maintaining the excellent health record of our cadets. Fresh air and sunshine are recommended by all medical men as necessary for growing boys and we are especially fortunate in having our barracks so constructed as to get a maximum amount of sunlight and air. THE NEW DORMITORY The new dormitory will be completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the school on September 16, 1935. This new building will accommodate 100 students. WATER SUPPLY In the fall of 1926 the Academy installed a new water system. A well was sunk to the depth of three hundred and six feet where a limpid stream of artesian water was struck. The supply is therefore absolutely pure. This is the only flowing artesian well in this part of Virginia. No school anywhere has purer water. It is on tap hot and cold in each cadet's room. Twenty-five

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X' FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY GALLERY RANGE Realizing the interest and importance of rifle marksmanship and training in the safe method of handling firearms, we have recently built a modern gallery range. lt consists of four targets built according to the best specifications and is 100 per cent safe. All cadets are given ample practice and all firing is under the immediate supervision of a faculty member capable of giving the best instruc- tion and of enforcing all safety precautions. SWINIMING POOL Pure artesian water THE ALUMNI GYMNASIUM This structure was completed in December, 1923. It is a modern gym- nasium in every particular, containing ample floor space for drills in inclement weather, room for basketball, indoor track, lockers, shower baths, athletic equipment, trophy room, etc. It is constructed of brick and concrete. Having a separate building devoted to the gymnasium makes it possible for cadets to have afternoon practice and recreation without disturbing anyone who may be reading or studying in the barracks or library. SWIMMING POOL Through the generosity of two of our trustees, Mr. M. C. Thomas and the late Mr. B. F. Dickerson of Charlottesville, Virginia, our cadets enjoy an inside all-season swimming pool. This pool is connected with the east side of the gymnasium and entrance is effected through the basement of the gymnasium where shower baths are enjoyed before the refreshing dip and swim in pure artesian water. Here boys can in safety learn how to swim under proper supervision and many are the happy hours enjoyed in this good sport by our students. TI-IE CAMPUS The campus, together with the Academy farm which adjoins it on the east, consists of 140 acres of land to which the cadets have free access. Twenty-seven