Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 —New course outlined in physics and political science. Gift of $12,800 by G. Henry Whitcomb and S. Salisbury for repairs on Boynton Hall. Title of “Principal” of W. P. I. changed to “President.” Gift of $5000 for endowment from Hon. Nathaniel Thayer. Individual gifts of from $150 to $200 for a new library. W. P. I. admitted to N. E. I. A. A. Camera club formed. Summer school discontinued. H. L. Dadmum of W. P. I. wins amateur championship of United States for half-mile run, at Washington. A Tech pin adopted. —Appeal to public for $100,000. 4 r A enters Tech. Term “Aftermath” introduced at Tech. H. H. Bigelow offers $100,000 for shop purposes, if $75,000 can be raised for erection of shop. Death of P. L. Moen, one of the Trustees. H. L. Dadmun elected a member of an all-American team to go to Europe. Application made to the Legislature for a right to hold more property. —First attempt at theatricals (minstrel show). Chapel made voluntary by vote of trustees. Plans drawn for an extension of the shop. Tower and bridge in Institute Park built, W. P. I. gets a fourth place in the N. E. I. A. A. (8 or 10 teams entered). First attempt to prevent the “Half-way Through.” —A Tech play presented—“Jack and the Bean Stalk.” Banjo club formed. Fire in Salisbury Laboratory; chemical laboratory and stock room dam¬ aged to the extent of $5000. —Resolution passed the Legislature granting $100,000 to the school. Dr. Fuller resigned presidency. Dr. Mendenhall chosen as president. 2. A. E. enters Tech. President’ s house built. Construction begun on the power house and mechanical laboratory. The three separate athletic associations combined into one. Plant at Chaffin’s bought and fitted up. —Phinehas Ball left to the school his residuary estate after the death of his wife and daughter. One-lialf to be invested, and the other half to remain intact until it shall have reached sixty-four times its value. Death of Judge P. Emory Aldrich (President of Trustees). Second Tech play—“Shylock, Jr.” Cane-rush between the Freshmen and Sophomores started. —Department of electrical engineering established. Professors Alden, Higgins, and Gladwin of the original corps of instructors resigned. W. P. I. publication given up. —The first number of W. P. I. Journal issued. Death of Prof. A. S. Kimball. —Tech sent relay team to University of Pennsylvania. A number of Tech men go to war. 27

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1875 First student periodical (The Antenna). 1876 —First glee club formed. Award for exhibit at Centennial Exposition. 1877 —First class book, a pamphlet of 50 pages, 4x6 inches. 1878 —Appeal made to the public to raise the sum of $50,000. 1879 —Gift of $2,000 by William Knowlton toward the running expenses. 1880 —Bequest of $1000 under the will of D. Waldo Lincoln, one of the Trustees. 1881 —Gift of $12,000 from Mr. Salisbury and David Whitcomb to enlarge the machine shop. Gift of $2000 from Mr. Salisbury for deficit in current expenses. Gift of $2000 from David Whitcomb. Gift of $1000 from Joseph H. Walker for instruction in the languages. First field day and class meet. 1882 —Resignation of Prof. Thompson. Election of Dr. H. T. Fuller as president. Courses in Electrical Engineering subjects given by Physics Department. Athletic association formed. 1883 —Inauguration of Dr. Fuller. 1884 —Summer school started. Death of the Hon. Stephen Salisbury, president of Board of Trustees. Bequest of $10,000 from Mr. Salisbury as a part of fund for instruction in the languages. Bequest of $10,000 under will of Lucius J. Knowles for the machine shop. 1885 —Standard in scholarship raised to an average of 50% in all studies. Death of Prof. Thompson. Establishment of W. T. I., a school journal. First tennis tournament. 1886 —Branch of the Y. M. C. A. started at the Institute. Appeal for State aid. Bill for $50,000 for student aid passed by the Legislature. 1887 —Gift of $100,000 by Mr. Salisbury for the erection of a mechanical and chemical laboratory. Name of the school changed from the Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science, to the Worcester Technical Institute, and again from the Worcester Technical Institute to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Institute Park given to city of Worcester, with the provision that at the end of twenty years, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute should be allowed to build upon a lot of land within the park, 150 ' x 250 ' and 60 ' distant from Salisbury Street. A new paper issued, called the W. P. I. 1888 —Construction of the high potential and Salisbury laboratories begun. 1889 —Tuition no longer free to Worcester County students except in so far as the scholarship and funds allow. Fee for tuition fixed at $150. Completion of Salisbury Laboratory. Faculty adopted rules in regard to football (no out-of-town games to be played). Location and name of the old Jo Bill Road changed to th e present Institute Road.

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1898 Meeting of National Society of Chemists held here. Mountain day established. 1900 —Running track built. Newton Hall opened as a dormitory for W. P. [. 1901 —Class Day is given up. The Institute and the Shops get gold medal from Pan-American Exposition. Dr. Mendenhall resigns. Dr. Engler chosen president. 1902 —Gift of $30,000 for a new foundry by S. Salisbury, G. H. Whitcomb, C. H. Morgan and C. G. Washburn. Gold medal is awarded W. P. I. from Charleston Exposition. A basket-ball team is formed. Tech withdraws from N. E. I. A. A. 1903 —First annual Tech banquet. Dr. Kinnicutt is elected President of American Association of Chemists. 1904 —Tech enters an exhibit at the World’s Fair at St. Louis. Dr. Engler and Prof. H. B. Smith elected members of international jury at the St. Louis Exposition. The class of 1908 enters the Institute. Bequest of $1000 under will of Senator Hoar. 1908 wins class football championship. Annual grant by the Legislature increased from $6000 to $10,000. 1905 —Class of 1908 wins class baseball and football games. Tech gets a gold medal and diploma at the St. Louis Exposition. Stephen Salisbury resigns from the Board of Trustees. Stephen Salisbury gives $100,000 on resignation. Death of Stephen Salisbury. He leaves a bequest of $200,000. 1906 —Plans arranged for new electrical building. 1908 wins class meet. Hon. C. G. Washburn elected President of Trustees. The Hill estate bought by alumni. Hill estate cleared and graded. 1907 —Electrical engineering building completed. A. T. 12. enters Tech. 1908 —James Logan elected Mayor of Worcester. Class of 1908 graduates and issues Aftermath. 28