Longwood College - Virginian Yearbook (Farmville, VA)

Page 18 text:

Zbc State dfentale Bomial School, 1884 1809. IX this year, 1899, Hearing the close of the cen- tury, when all the world is engaged in look- ing back, comparing present things with past, what has been accomplished with what in early years was promised, it were well for us, about to complete the iifteenth year of the life of this institution, to trace step by step its development, to call to mind the purpose of its establishment in order to judge whether that purpose is being fulfilled, and to do honor to those whose brain conceived and put into operation the project, and to those who have borne its burdens to ihe present day. To Dr. W. II. Rutf.ier and Dr. J. L. M. Curry undoubtedly lielongs the credit of the Normal School idea in Virginia. Dr. Rutfner, as Superin- tendent of Public Instruction in the State, hav- ing already rendered most valuable aid to educa- tion by his advanced and correct ideas and his masterly reports, felt the need of teachers spe- cially trained for work in the public schools if the schools were to be really imj ortaut factors in the elevation of the people. Dr. Curry, as agent of tlie Peabody Fund, was able to give very mate- rial ai ! financially, and besides, gave what was, if possible, of more value, his able mental and uioral support. The result of these ettbrts was the action of the Virginia Legislature at its session of 1883-84-, establishing a State Normal School expressly for the training of white female teachers for the public schools. That the school was located in Farmville was due to the fact that the tOAvn oflered to give the

Page 17 text:

' y ' yfp ' ■5 - r.X. .- f) m, ' i ix jfe - AW m ' A ? 1, w : -tL — — 4J-L .. ™ . STATE FEMALE NORMAL SCHOOL.

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State for this purpose a building formerly used as au academy and tliis ofl ' er was warmly sup- ported by men of such character and prominence as Dr. W. H. Ruftner, Rev. James Nelson, D. D., then pastor of the Baptist Church in Farmville, now president of the Woman ' s College, Rich- mond, and Dr. W. ir. II. Thackston, at the time mayor of Farmville and most anxious to further any enter- prise that would promote its inter- ests. The Act of the Legislature es- tablishing the For- mal School, car- ried with it an ap- DR J. L M CURRY, propriatiou of five thousand dollars for buildings and ' necessary expenses in the beginning and ten thousand dol- lars annually to maintain it, with the foUowiag board of trustees : W. H. Ruff ner, J. L. M. Curry, R. M. Manly, C. R. Holland, L. A. Michie, J. L. Buchanan, F. X. Watkins, G. 0. Conrad, W. E. Gaines, W. W. Ilerljert, John B. Minor, C. S. Armstrong, H. II. Harris, James Nelson, and ex-officio, State Superintendent, R. R. Farr. At a meeting of this board held a few weeks later, in Richmond, Dr. J. L. M. Curry was elected president of the board, Dr. J. L. Buchanan, vice- president, and Judge F. N. Watkins, secretary, while Dr. W. H. Rufi ' ner was induced to become principal of the new school, giving to it the benefit of his wide knowledge of the needs of public schools and his unusual intellect. At a meeting of the board held September 7th. 1884, it was resolved to open the school- October 30th, following, although, to quote Dr. Ruffner ' s words, all they had was a principal, an appropriation, a rough scheme and an old academy building. Not a teacher, nor a book, nor a piece of appa- ratus or furniture. But with Dr. Curry at the head of the board and Dr. Ruft ' ner at the head of the school, its success was assured. The first step was to secure teachers which was no easy matter, as teachers in a normal school must be specifically trained for their work. There being in Virginia at this time few people familiar with the organization and methods of normal schools. Dr. Ruffner was authorized to seek in the North three persons suited for the position of instructors