Lowell Technological Institute - Pickout Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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T the history of an institution such as Lowell Textile Institute, many things occur which appear as iso- lated instances, but which are, in reality, parts of the whole. Many classes have appeared and then disap- peared. Each class has been a separate, individual en- tity: and yet. through each class are woven the threads which form the entire pattern. The pattern which is formed, although never finished, may be easily distin- guished. It may he summed up in one word, spirit. ' It is an emotion, a sense of love, a sense of pride, which can only be felt by a student or alumnus of the Institute. Throughout the history of Lowell Textile Institute, the spirit, as well as the physical plant, has grown apace. This spirit has grown in the sense that an alumnus can point with pride toward the Institute and say, That ' s my Alma Mater. It has grown in the sense that a stu- dent can point with pride toward the Institute and say, ' That ' s the school to which I go. It has grown as a small seed of an idea, planted, well-watered, and well- cared for, can grow. It has grown as only something with a strong will can grow. The spirit embodied in Lowell Textile Institute did not bloom forth overnight. It was the culmination of periods beset with many difficulties. It took almost half a century to bring this spirit to the point which it has 1897 — Our first home 17

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Alma Mate 4W e4

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extili u e men Have +iauK Jit ta fy e CL i reached today. It began as a very small idea in 1895 when a corporation, known as The Trustees of the Lowell Textile School, was formed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a textile school for in- struction in the theory and practical art of textile and kindred branches of industry. . . ' The original plant where classes commenced in 1897 was in rented quarters in the downtown area of Lowell. In 1899, with the aid of both public and private donations, construction was begun on the present site of the Institute and the cam- pus was occupied in 1903. Shortly thereafter, the late President Emeritus Charles H. Eames was appointed as the first president of Lowell Textile Institute. In 1910, the Colonial Avenue Building was built. Athletic fields were laid out around the school, gym- nasium facilities were added, and boating facilities were improved. In 1918, the custody of the Institute was transferred to the State. In the ensuing years, the plant remained much the same; but many changes were made in the standards and in the curriculum of the Institute. Louis Pasteur Hall was added in 1937. The intervening war years brought activity at the Institute to a virtual standstill. With the end of the war, however, new life came to the Institute. Many veterans returned to their studies and new students flooded the halls. President Eames retired and was suc- ceeded by Kenneth R. Fox, B.T.E., S.M., F.T.I., a 18