St Johnsbury Academy - Lamp Yearbook (St Johnsbury, VT)

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MILESTONE OF January 20, 1842 February 26, 1842 December 13, 1842 Summer of 1843 December 6, 1843 Tke Academy Student 1943 mMBr •- - wamrmsz7— □ ,S IN THE FIRST ONE-HUNDRED YEARS SAINT JOHNSBURY ACADEMY Joseph P. Fairbanks of Saint Johnsbury writes to his brother-in-law, Samuel Taylor, Principal of Phillips Academy of Andover, Massachusetts. “We have in contemplation the establishment of a high school in this place, and I wish to consult you in regard to a teacher. To enable you to judge what would answer our purpose, I will mention some points we wish to secure in the character of the school. First, we wish such a course of instruction adopted as will aim not so much to the acquisition of knowledge as to the improvement of the mind..........We wish to lay the foundation for a systematic education, and fit the individual for subsequent self-cultivation. . . , We wish to secure a permanent instructor, believing this essential to give character to the school..I have heard you speak favorably of James K. Colby of Derry.” Joseph P. Fairbanks writes to James K. Colby, principal of the Appleton Academy at New Ipswich, N. H. “I address you in regard to the establishment of an academy, for which we wish to secure your services as instructor....We wish to establish an academy that will insure thorough and systematic education, and lay foundations for a well-balanced, sound, and useful character.” The first session of Saint Johnsbury Academy opens in a small dwelling south of the plot of land on which now stands the County Court House. James K. Colby presides as its principal and sole instructor of twenty-three pupils. The first Academy building is built. “Its low roof of shapely slope, its front adorned with Doric pillars suggested a little Greek temple crowning the swell of land with its quiet dignity.” The deed of gift is signed by the founders. “And whereas we the said Erastus Fairbanks, Thaddeus Fairbanks and Joseph P. Fairbanks, regarding the cause of Education with deep interest and entertaining the opinion that a more thorough course of training in the education of youth is desirable, have, in connection with other friends of education, established the aforesaid Academy, with the hope, in some measure of securing such a result. Now therefore it is hereby enjoined upon the aforesaid Trus- 4

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 The aim of this school is to occupy the middle ground between the common schools and the colleges; to afford such superior instruction in the classics and higher English branches that no school shall send more thoroughly fitted students to college than this; to offer facilities for good practical education for such as may not care for the college course, and withal so to develop heart and character that the noblest aspirations may be kindled, and incitements be furnished to the most beneficent labors for humanity.” An excerpt from Dr. Homer T. Fuller's speech at the dedication of North Hall on October 31, 1873

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 The Acad emy Student 1943 L: Z!Z:- ' 1860-1861 August 13, 1866 1868 1870 Spring of 1871 1872-1873 June, 1873 October 31, 1873 1876 April, 1880 June, 1880 1882 April 12, 1886 June 24, 1892 1895 tees, their associates, and successors in office that they —Here follow the obligations enjoined upon the Trustees of Saint Johnsbury Academy. The Academy building is enlarged to two stories to accommodate the rapid rise in enrollment. Principal James K. Colby dies. “-------who gave to the Academy its character, fulfilling the hope of its founders. —whose name will always be conspicuous in its history. All the young men graduating in the classical course (8) with the class of ’68 enter Dartmouth and the one girl enters Vassar. Work is commenced on the new dormitory and class building, South Hall, which, at a cost of $36,000, is the gift of Thaddeus Fairbanks. Dr. Homer T. Fuller becomes principal. The old Academy building, remodeled in 1860, gives way to Academy Hall, which, also, is donated by Thaddeus Fairbanks. The first floor is ready for the spring classes. Introduction of a formal graduation exercise. Dedication of Academy Hall, the building now called North Hall, with 1,250 people attending. The presidents of Dartmouth and U. V. M. are the visiting speakers. Principal Fuller states the aims of the Academy. (Now preserved on one of the murals in Fuller Hall.) The alumni association is organized by the class of 1877. Volume I. Number 1 of the Academy Student issued. Class day exercises are introduced. (The largest elm, north of North Hall, was set out at this first class day.) Principal Fuller leaves to become the administrative head of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Charles E. Putney succeeds him. Thaddeus Fairbanks dies, the last living founder and for thirty-seven years the president of the Board of Trustees. Semi-Centennial of the Academy is observed with an elaborate celebration. The Saint Johnsbury Academy Athletic Association is organized including in the by-laws this statement, “Twenty-five dollars at least shall stand as a credit o