Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 21 text:

Dedication of the Institute.— It will be seen by reference to our advertising columns that the new building of the Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science is to be dedicated with appropriate exercises, at ten o’clock to-day. Addresses are ex¬ pected from Professor Woodman of Dart¬ mouth, Professor Lyman of New Haven, and the Principal, in addition to the formal ded¬ icatory addresses by Mr. Salisbury, Mr. Lincoln and Mayor Blake. A collation will be provided, after which further addresses from Gov. Bullock, Ex-Gov. Washburn, and other distinguished gentlemen are expected. The invitation is extended not only to all contributors to the building fund and their wives, but also to all other citizens who feel an interest in the occasion. As the number of donors is very large, and the address of many of them is not known, no other in¬ vitation could be given. Contributions to the collation may be sent to the Central Chapel, in the rear of Dr. Sweetser’s church on Main street, from 8 to 11 o’clock, this morning, and the committee on reception particularly request that articles may be sent before 10 o’clock, if possible. To accommodate the public, Mr. L. B. Stone will provide omnibuses at a moderate fare, which will leave the City Hall at 9 o’clock, and every half hour after, and pass¬ ing through Main street will leave passengers at the Institute. Early Surroundings You may say that we are lacking in some of the advantages enjoyed by other schools, in not having customs and traditions of interest. Again you are mistaken. The things are there waiting to be developed. The trouble is that through many conflicting statements, lack of ambition, interest, and perhaps responsibility, those traditions have not been handed down, and therefore are not cherished. For instance, how many of the present students on the Hill know that the largest and best trees that line our drives and walks, were planted by the individual classes? Each one of these trees is a history in itself. Do you know that John Hurley, who is still with us, has been with the school from the beginning? He helped remove the trees from where Boynton Hall now stands. Professor Sinclair has been here since 1871. These men can tell you that there are customs and traditions enough. Have you ever pictured to yourself how the Hill 15

Page 20 text:

knocker. The more we learn to love, honor, and make sacrifices for onr school and Alma Mater, so much more have we materially helped our¬ selves. Here, at least, is one way in which we can show school spirit. Be able to talk intelligentlv and with interest about your school. The following is a clipping advertising for proposals for building Boynton Hall. Print from “Worcester Daily Spy,” Jan., 1867: P roposals for building.—P ro¬ posals are invited for the erection of a Stone Building in this city, for the Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science, ac¬ cording to the plans and specifications prepared by Messrs. Earle ' Fuller. The plans may be seen and a copy of the specifications obtained at the room of the Architects, No. 206 Main st. The proposals should be sealed, directed to the Build¬ ing Committee, and sent in on or before Friday, the 18th of January next. D. WALDO LINCOLN, Chairman. d29 d2w The following are clippings taken from newspapers at that time, giv¬ ing notices of the dedication exercises. From the “Worcester Daily Spy’’ for Nov. 11, 1868: ORCESTER COUNTY Fi ee Institute of Industrial Science. THE SERVICES AT THE DEDICATION OF BOYNTON HALL WILL BE HELD IN THE CHAPEL On WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11, Commencing at 10 o’clock A. m. The following is the ORDER OF EXERCISES. 1— Report of the Building Committee and Deliv¬ ering of the Keys to the Trustees, by the Chair¬ man, D. W. Lincoln. 2— Reply by the President, Hon. Stephen Salis¬ bury. 3— Prayer of Dedication by Rev. Dr. Sweetser. 4— Music by Select Choir. 5— Addresses by Prof. Lyman of Yale College, and Prof. Woodman of Dartmouth. 6— Inauguration Address by Mr. C. O. Thompson, Principal of the Institute. 7— Congratulatory Remarks by Hon. James B. Blake, Mayor of the city. 8— Music. At the close of the exercises a collation will be provided in the adjoining hall, for invited guests and others who may attend. After the collation Short Addresses will be expected from several Distinguished Speakers, explanatory of the ob¬ jects, prospects and wants of the Institution. Contributors to the Building Fund and citizens generally are invited to be present. The whole building will be thrown open for inspection. n5 d6t D. WALDO LINCOLN, Sec’y. 14

Page 22 text:

looked before Boynton Hall was built? To go back forty years, imagine if possible a round hill covered with a thick pine grove. This was cut away, and 15,000 yards removed in grading for the winding drives and walks. West street then extended from Salisbury Street to the top of the Hill. Institute Road, then called Jo Bill Road, was merely a wagon path, and followed a straight line over the Hill, instead of going around as at present. From the corner of Lancaster and Highland Streets to the foot of the Institute Hill was a swamp with no houses, until the President’s house, (now occupied by Dr. Jennings) was built. Dean, Wachnsett and Lan¬ caster streets were unheard of. On the west there were no houses for a considerable dis tance, except a one-story hut at the corner of Highland and West streets. What is now Institute Park was then merely a field running down to Salisbury Pond, which, before the steel mills were built, was a brook. An arm of Salisbury Pond at the time the Institute was opened came up to Salisbury Street, opposite to Dean. Running from Salisbury Street to the pond, opposite to the Institute drive, was a low stone wall, at the end of which was an old apple tree, where the early students spent their study hours in swimming. The base-ball field was where the tennis courts are now. Bliss Field was then covered with bushes and stumps. In brief. Tech was all by itself, out in the country, and it is certainly interest-