Greenbrier Military School - Yearbook (Lewisburg, WV)

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ACADEMIC LIFE

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CTHE BRIER PATCH OF 1932 Cox. H. B. Moore Lieut.-Cout. J. M. Moore Mayor D. T. Moore Principal Assistant Principal Business Manager The “Big Three” of Greenbrier Military School—‘Colonel,”’ “Captain Joe” and “Major D. T.’ They look after our welfare, see that we don’t loaf, hand out our spending money and do about everything else they can think of for our comfort. History and Admunistration (Extracts from History of Lewisburg Academy—now Greenbrier Military School) On the first Sabbath in June, 1808, Dr. John McE lhenney became pastor of Lewisburg Presbyterian Church (Old Stone Church) and for sixty-two years labored in this section of Virginia, going as far west as Charleston in the Kanawha Valley. Among his earliest undertakings, and certainly among his most important achievements, was the establishment of Lewisburg Academy in the county seat of Greenbrier County, Virginia, at that time the most important Virginia town west of the Alleghanies. This school must have opened its doors in 1808. The brick academy building was erected about 1812, as is evidenced by the records of Greenbrier County Court. A deed is on record in the clerk’s office of said county, dated in 1812, which, in giving the boundaries of the lot conveyed, reads as follows: “Beginning on Main Street at the corner of the lot on which the Brack Academy has recently been erected, and with said lot,” etc. The 29th day of January, 1812, the Legislature of the State of Virginia passed an act entitled: “An act establishing an Academy in the Town of Lewisburg, in the County of Greenbrier,” and in this act certain gentlemen residing in Greenbrier, Monroe, Botetourt, Bath, Giles, Kanawha, Mason and Cabell Counties were appointed trustees. Thus it appears that at the start the purpose was to establish a school for the benefit of a large section of Virginia, and not just for local patronage. THE GREENBRIER OF TO-DAY In 1890, Greenbrier Military Academy was flourishing. With over 200 students enrolled, a disastrous fire destroyed the buildings. By 1896 the school was again gaining prominence as Lee Military Academy. In 1902, as Greenbrier Academy, it was given to the Presbytery of Greenbrier, and the Rev. M. L. Lacy, D. D., father of our own Miss Lena Lacy, was chosen President. Under his leadership the school grew in prestige. Colonel H. B. Moore became President in 1906, and in 1920 the new Greenbrier, a private school opened by Colonel Moore and’ his brothers, opened its doors to the youth of America. For over 120 years Greenbrier kas served the youth of America. Precious is our heritage.