Schuylerville Central School - Schuyler Yearbook (Schuylerville, NY)

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visited Wanamaker’s store and heard an organ recital from the largest organ in the world. In the afternoon we visited the Curtis Publishing Co., also the Navy Yard, where we went through the Olympia, which was Dewey’s Flag Ship at Manilla Bay. Philadelphia was the first city to shed tears at our departure. We left Thursday evening in a downpour of rain. Friday morning, it was still cloudy and very foggy in New York. Early that morning we went by way of the ele- vated railway to Battery Park, from there by boat to Staten Island, seeing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Upon our return, we visited the Aqua- rium, the Custom House, the Exchange Building and Old Trinity Church. In the afternoon we drove up Fifth Avenue and Riverside Drive to Grant’s Tomb. That evening we attended the Hippodrome, going directly from the theatre to the Grand Central Station, where we took the sleeper for Albany, reaching that city about (5 o’clock the following morning. We had an early breakfast and immediately left for Schuylerville. The trip to Washington was a wonderful experience, having both social and educational value. Although the members of the class were very tired and weary when they reached home, they felt they had spent a most enjoyable time and that the trip would long be remembered. The Seniors. 17

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Washington’s home at Mt. Vernon was one of the most beautiful places visited. We hurriedly visited the buildings, the flower gardens, the lawns, and the tomb where lie the remains of General Washington and his wife, Martha Washington. Sunday morning, we visited the Zoological Gardens, where we saw animals and birds from all parts of the world. This park is one of the largest and most beautiful in the city, it contains over 1(10 acres. Some of our party went to the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, others went to the Congregational Church, where some members of the party saw President Coolidge. In the afternoon we went to the Corcoran Art Gallery and to the Franciscan Monastery. The Monas- tery is a reproduction of the catacombs and many of the sacred shrines of the Holy Land. The first place we visited Monday was the Bureau of Printing and En- graving. Here we watched the process of making paper money and postage stamps. The next place of interest was the Washington Monument, a white marble shaft, 555 feet high. Some of our party climbed the 898 steps leading to the top, others went up in the elevator. From the upper windows, we had a panoramic view of the Capitol City. We spent some time upon the White House lawn. While there we saw Mrs. Coolidge, surrounded by a group of Girl Scouts who seemed to adore her. We also witnessed the egg rolling contest and heard the U. S. Marine Band. The Congressional Library seen at evening is beyond our description. The ceilings of the dome and the vestibule are inlaid with gold. Walls, staircases, floors, decorations, and marble figures all add to its beauty. In the periodical room we were pleasantly surprised to find “The Daily Saratogian” and the “Glens Falls Post Star.” Copies of these papers with their news notes seemed to bring New York State nearer to us. At the Capitol we were shown through all the important rooms, including the President’s Room, the Hall of Statuary, the chambers of the House of Rep- resentatives and the Senate, going by subway from the Capitol to the Senate offices. Other places of note visited were the Pan-American Building, Medical Mu- seum, Army and Navy Building, President’s Yacht, the Mayflower; Smithson- ian Institute, National Museum and the Lincoln Memorial, one of the greatest works of art ever seen. While on a sight-seeing trip through the city we saw Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was shot, and the house just across the street in which he died. On our homeward trip we stopped at Baltimore for a thirty-mile tour of the principal points of interest about the city, going from there to Philadel- phia. Wednesday evening in Philadelphia, we enjoyed a roof garden party at the Walton Hotel. The following morning we toured the city by auto bus. We visited Fairmount Park, which is said to be the largest park in the world, saw the home of William Penn, visited Independence Hall and saw the Liberty Bell. We saw Girard College, a school for orphan boys. The home of Betsy Ross, where “Old Glory” was first made, was pointed out to us. We 16

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A pira Jinr Hon» ilntprrflt Hit iitHtunral araloya it is hard to realize that our quiet little village was the scene of one of the most important battles ever fought in America. Books have been written, stories told about that battle, and about the scenes that we regard so calmlv every day. We often wonder how Schuylerville looked when Burgoyne and Gates camped on the hills. Thick woods covered most sections and only a few houses were here and there. How the valley must have resounded to the roar of the cannons and how peaceful it must have been in the camp at night! In imagination we can see those camps. The sun has set. Everything is in silhouette against the deep orange of the west. Striving to be gay and hope- ful, the soldiers eat their scanty meal. The bugle blows out the taps. A light wind rustles the leaves and the night cry of birds is heard. The camp fire flickers and bv its light we see the deeply lined faces of the men. The strains of “Yankee Doodle” drift to their ears. After this a song of home. Do we see the glitter of tears in some eyes? At this time their thoughts turn back to those left behind. It is hard—hard to think of happy times amid such sur- roundings. How peaceful the scene is—how quiet! The Hudson flows silentlv on, the moon making it a ribbon of silver. But this only brings into sharper contrast the events of the day past and of the days to come. But amidst such scenes as these a grim battle was fought. Burgoyne, riding blithely along, came face to face with Gates. He gallantly rallied to the occasion but was overwhelmed by the Americans. Although this was vic- tory for us, there is a bit of tragedy which we recall as we catch sight of that empty niche in our monument. A name springs to our lips and pity comes into our hearts. Arnold saved Saratoga. He was wounded in the leg in the last charge. We know what he did after this glorious victory. How much better it would have been if the shot had gone through his heart! It would have spared him so much sorrow'. Do we people of Schuylerville know all the historical scenes and stories of our village? How proud we should be to direct a traveler to the points of interest or tell the story connected with it! Each year the state is doing more and more to bring us into closer touch with these things. Let us try to become more familiar with the place where America won her independence. Jiji.ia Wanmer. 18