Here's a story from Harriet Branton's new book, Washington County Chronicles! You can pick up a copy here at the historical society for $22.
The disastrous fire during the winter of 1790-91 that deprived Washington County of its first courthouse also left the fledgling Washington Academy homeless. Plans to proceed with the construction of a new courthouse began almost immediately. However, the future for Washington Academy was not so rosy. In vain did the prestigious John McMillan, Thaddeus Dod and David Johnston, principal of the academy, plead with the townspeople for financial help to get the school back on its feet. It was a futile effort. Years later, in 1817, McMillan wrote of the attempt to rebuild the school in Washington. He reported, with more than a suggestion of disgust, that "so indifferent were the inhabitants of that town to the interests of literature in general and to the demand of the church in particular that notwithstanding the state's donation an academy would not be supported."
What to do? The trustees took their problem to Colonel John Canon, eight miles away. It so happened that Canon and other McMillan supporters had hoped for some time to found an academy in Canonsburg, either by enlarging the McMillan school or starting a new one. Here was their chance. in almost no time at all, a group of men, including Canon and McMillan, found themselves meeting after church one day in a field "under the shade of some sassafras bushes." Exercises were held that July day in 1791 invoking the blessing of God upon a new academic institution. It began that very fall, holding classes in temporary quarters until Colonel Canon's fine new stone building, being constructed on land he had donated, was ready. Canonsburg Academy was in business. It continued the work begun by McMillan in his own log school in 1780-81 that was alleged to be the "first literary institution west of the mountains." in 1792, the Pittsburgh Gazette advertised that the building for Canonsburg Academy was finished and that the grammar school was in operation under the direction of David Johnston, former principal of the Washington Academy. Course offerings included English, geometry, trigonometry, astronomy, algebra and bookkeeping. Board was available in the neighborhood. The institution had the financial support of Redstone Presbytery.
In 1794, the school was chartered by the Pennsylvania legislature as the Academy and Library Company of Canonsburg, with the continued enthusiastic moral and financial support of Presbyterians throughout the region. Contributions flowed in to repay Colonel Canon for the funds he had advanced for the building and to pay the faculty salaries and help young men who were studying for the ministry.
By 1800, a movement was underway to convert the academy into a college, and McMillan, along with three others, drafted a petition for presentation to the legislature. Their efforts were successful, and Canonsburg Academy officially became Jefferson College on January 15, 1802. Its first president was John Watson, a son-in-law of John McMillan. By 1816, the college had outgrown Colonel Canon's original stone building. A new structure, College Hall, was built in 1816-17 on Central Avenue property bought from Canon's widow. In 1833, a third building, Providence Hall, was constructed at the same location.
In the meantime, back in Washington, the leading citizens now regretted their decision to rebuff McMillan and his friends. John Hoge finally donated land, and, through the joint efforts of the townspeople and the Pennsylvania legislature, a second building for Washington Academy was begun in 1793. In 1806, Washington College also recieved a charter from the Pennylvania legislature. The stage was then set for an intercollegiate rivalry that continued for more than half a century. The circumstances that destroyed the quarters of the Washington Academy and resulted in the founding of Canonsburg Academy created the ideal situation for the "college war," which continued for more than a half a century. The two institutions drew students from the same area, and this fact alone began to place a strain on the financial resources of both. Another complicating issue was the fact that the two schools even shared presidents, Andrew Wylie and Matthew Brown.
As early as September 1815, there were serious suggestions to unite the two schools, and committees at both institutions were appointed to explore this possibility. Jefferson students wanted the school to be situated in Canonsburg. Washington folk wanted their college to remain where it was. The fat was really in the fire when, in 1817, Andrew Wylie, DD and president of Jefferson College, was lured to that same post at Washington College. Jefferson trustees were outraged by Wylie's defection and refused to discuss the mattre of unity any further. Accusations and communications, both public and private, flew briskly between the two campuses until 1820. Even the Presbyterian Synod tried, without success, to unite the two schools at Washington. Nothing more was done about the unification until the 1860s.
As if things weren't already complicated enough, there was the matter of Matthew Brown's appointment to the presidency of Jefferson College in 1822. This development resulted from a bitter feud in Washington about the desirability of the same man holding both the presidency of Washington College and the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church. The occupant of both hot seats was Reverend Dr. Brown, who had been serving as Washington College's first president since 1806. Caught between two opposing political factions, he resigned as president of Washington College in 1817.
This was the point at which Wylie, late of Jefferson College, took over. Brown remained in Washington as a pastor of the First Presbyterian Church for five years. In 1822, depressed by the death of his wife and the complicated state of affairs between the college and his church, Brown decided to quit Washington entirely and head west. Before leaving, he called on his good friend Samuel Ralston, who happened to be president of Jefferson College's board of trustees. The board was looking for a new president and offered the job to Brown. He decided to take it. and his acceptance resulted in a twenty-three-year period of greatness for Jefferson College. During his administration, 772 students graduated, three times as many under his predecessors. A strong and decisive leader, he was more compatible with the Canonsburg community than with Washington. Prior to his appearance on campus, Jefferson College had just survived a period of student rebellion, and the trustees were relieved to obtain a man of strength to run things.
After Brown's tenure drew to a close in 1845, Jefferson continued for another twenty years under four presidents, whose terms ranged from two to eleven years. Financial problems were an ever-present worry- the college had always been poor. It had no endowment for the first fifty years of its existence. Finally, it raised $60,000 by selling "cheap scholarships." This was no help, for it then lost income from student fees, since every student secured a scholarship that intitled him to free tuition. During its sixty-three years of existence, the student body only once approached 300, yet it graduated 1,950 men. Of course, 940 went into the ministry, 428 became lawyers and 208 were physicians. Large number served as college presidents, governers and army officers. Two became members of presidential cabinets, sixty were in the Congress, sixty on the bench and eighteen achieved high ecclestical office.
The Civil War proved to be the undoing of Jefferson College. The school's financial resources were not equal to the demands as costs increased at the end of the war. The conflict itself depleted the ranks of the student body as men departed to enlist with both Union and Confederacy. Two hundred forty-six alumni served in one army or the other; thirty-six died in service with the U.S. Army, while eleven gave their lives for the Confederacy. Back in Canonsburg, the situation became so desperate that, in 1865, by action of the boards of trustees of both schools, Washington and Jefferson Colleges were at last united.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
The LeMoyne Family Housewarming Party!!
You're invited to Washington's biggest housewarming party to date!
On February 23, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge in Washington, Pa. the Washington County Historical Society will host the first annual LeMoyne Family Housewarming Party!
For $50 a ticket, guests will be able to enjoy costumed docents, a period themed meal, horse-drawn carriage rides to the LeMoyne House for special tours, special entertianment and a Chinese auction featuring paintings from Nat Youngblood and Ray Forquer. Other activities include a wine tasting, silloutte drawings and the new rebranding of the Historical Society.
You won't want to miss an event like this, the LeMoyne Family has been waiting 200 years to celebrate with you and it will be a housewarming party like no other! Please RSVP by 2/15. Tickets are available by calling the Historical Society at 724-255-6740. We hope to see you there!
On February 23, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge in Washington, Pa. the Washington County Historical Society will host the first annual LeMoyne Family Housewarming Party!
For $50 a ticket, guests will be able to enjoy costumed docents, a period themed meal, horse-drawn carriage rides to the LeMoyne House for special tours, special entertianment and a Chinese auction featuring paintings from Nat Youngblood and Ray Forquer. Other activities include a wine tasting, silloutte drawings and the new rebranding of the Historical Society.
You won't want to miss an event like this, the LeMoyne Family has been waiting 200 years to celebrate with you and it will be a housewarming party like no other! Please RSVP by 2/15. Tickets are available by calling the Historical Society at 724-255-6740. We hope to see you there!
The George Washington Hotel
One of the most famous historical sites in Washington County is the beautiful George Washington Hotel. The hotel opened in 1923 and has since been one of Washington's most premier hotels. Harriet Branton wrote an excellent story about the George Washington:
The handsome invitation read: "You are cordially invited to be present at the formal opening of the George Washington Hotel, Washington, Pennsylvania, Afternoon and Evening, February twenty-second. twenty-third, and twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred twenty-three."
The three-day schedule of festivities with which Washington opened its grand new hostelry took on the air of a pagent as one gala event followed another. On Thursday, Washington's birthday, there was a reception and inspection of the new building in the afternoon; this was followed by the stockholder's banquet at 7 p.m. ($5 per person); and then there was dancing in the elegant ballroom until 1 a.m. On Friday another luncheon and open house were scheduled. Dinner at 6 p.m. ($3 per person) was again followed by dancing until 1 a.m. A business men's dinner on Saturday concluded the three-day affair.
The opening of the George Washington Hotel was the climax of a two-year project to provide Washington wiht an appropriate and very necessary hotel. Accommodations for visitors in town were so poor that very often tourists had to be put up in private homes. Promoters of the hotel project, including R.L. McCarrell, John H. Donnan, John W. Leonard, R.M. Pacton, W.R. McIlvaine. J.L. Lockhart, John B. Allison, A.C. Warne, M.W. McClane. J.D. Bigger, and C.S. Caldwell, had been pushing the idea since 1920. Finally the details were outlined by another enthusiastic supporter, Richard G. Miller, at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on January 21, 1921. A fund-raising campaign of $1,200,000 was undertaken, and local banks almost immediately took over a $600,000 issue of first mortgage bonds. Another $600,000 was offered to the public at $50 per share. A particular effort was made to encourage women to buy stock and become part owners of the hotel. They were urged by a special committee to take advantage of the opportunity to buy shares in amounts ranging from $100 to $2,000 each. All who did so automatically became charter members of the George Washington Hotel Women's Club. Ladies who served on the promotion committee included Mrs. M.D. McClane, Miss Mary H. Lockhart, Mrs. W.S. Burchial, Mrs. J.W. Wallace, Mrs. Esther C. Humphrey, and Mrs. C.S. Caldwell.
The public drive for funds was so successful that the $600,000 had been fully subscribed within one month after the announcement. In fact the financing had been taken care of before a site had even been selected. That was one of the first matters to be considered when the stockholders met to elect a board of directors.
The location was soon chosen. The hotel was to be built at the southeast corner of Cherry Avenue and Main Street on lots numbered 91, 92, and 93 in the original plan of the town when it had been laid out 141 years earlier. The lots fronted 60 ft. each on Monogahela Street (later known as Market and finally Main) and were 240 ft. deep. A second important matter was settled with the selection of W.L. Stoddart of New York City as the architect. He soon produced plans for a ten-story structure to be built in Adams period style.
From the beginning special care was taken into insure that this hotel would be one of the finest in the nation. Some of the construction statistics are rather interesting. there were 995 tons of steel used the framework, as well as the 136, 556 cubic feet of concrete, 190,000 tiles, and 740,000 bricks. The 210 guest rooms were equipped with private baths; hot and cold running water, including ice water; and there were 800 electric light fixtures in the building. At one time there were as many as 500 men working on the construction project.
The second floor was said to have the finest rooms (although the management was justly proud of all 210). There the walls were paneled and painted ivory and the furniture was hand decorated and enameled. Furnishings included twin beds, dresser, night stand, writing desk and chair, luggage rack, full length mirror, and an easy chair. Each room was also equipped with its own telephone. Rooms on the other floors were furnished alike,with Sheraton pieces made especially for the hotel. On the northwest corner of the tenth floor was a three-room "presidential suite" consisting of two bedrooms, which was furnished with hand carved walnut pieces. It was said hat "no hotel in the country contains a finer presidential suite, not even those where the President is a regular guest."
As for the public rooms on the first floor and mezzanine, they too, were most handsomely furnished. The Albert Pick company of Chicago had been commissioned to design the furniture, window shades, and draperies especially for the hotel. All shades were made of puffed sunfast silk and all draperies were lined and interlined. The marble floor of the lobby was covered with an Austrian hand-tuffed rug and was over the desk hung a large oil painting of George Washington in colonial dress. The colors in the lobby were predominantly red and gold.
The color used in the main dining room, which opened off the lobby, was green and the six wondows were hung with draperies of heavy silk velour. Named the "General Grant Room" in honor of the President who had visited Washington so often, the dining room could seat 300 guests. Special service plates for use in the dining rom were decorated with a design showing the Administration Building of W&J built in 1793, with a stagecoach in front surrounded by ladies and gentlemen dressed in colonial costumes. Even the silverware had been especially made. Each piece was decorated with the Washington family crest, which wsa the official emblem of the hotel. The spacious dining room was lighted by six large crystal chandeliers of the Adams period.
But it was the ballroom on the mezzanine which was referred to as the "pride of the George Washington." Its 45 by 80 ft. length occupied in the entire northwest corner of the building. Decorated in blue and gold, it was also designed in the style fo the Adams period. A handsome mantle at the south end was surmounted by an elegant mirror, and two magnificent crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Four large pillars topped by decorative wreaths supported the blacony. Many of the furnishings in the ballroom came from the Peacock mansion in Pittsburgh. These included French handwoven Aubusson rugs, as well as the large brass andirons in front of the fireplace. There were also two rare tables, valuable vases, and a number of original oil paintings depicting characters who were famous in French history including Madame duBarry, Louis XVI, and Marie Antoinette, plus reproductions of paintings by Renolds, Gainesborough, and Rembrandt.
Two emblems bearing the official coat of arms of the Washington family were placed over the Main Street entrance of the building, just under two flag poles. The emblems are "exact reproductions" of the Washington family's coat of arms, and great care was taken to insure that the design was accurate. It was even submitted to Herald's College in London for verification. Made of terra cotta, the three by five ft. emblems were painted with colors which were baked and glazed to withstand the weather. the handsome designs include a black raven with outspread wings, a ducal coronet of gold, a slilver helmet and shield, two red bars, and three five-pointed stars.
So it was a small wonder that on the night of February 22, 1923, those who had worked so hard to provide Washington with its wonderful new hotel were in a mood to celebrate. The management had even arranged for the survices of an eight piece George Washington Orchestra, which was to remain permanently. At that very first dinner, R.L McCarrell presiding, the invocation was given by the Rev. William E. Slemmons, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The orchestra then struck up the national anthem, and before the more than 800 guests could be seated, a figure which looked for all the world like "the reincarntion of George Washington" appeared and proceeded to read from his diary his impressions of the hotel, the town named in his honor, and his feelings about western Pennsylvania in general. It was quite a show. This colorful bit of pageantry was followed by a sumptuous meal, the menu for which include supreme of grapefruit, celery hearts, mixed olives, consomme, cheese straws, sole, Parisienne potatioes, frozen fruit punch, filet mignon, fresh mushrooms, Bordelaise sauce, potato croquettes, asparagus tips, George Washington salad, ice cream, petits fours, salted almonds, and after dinner mints.
Following the dinner there were speeches and then the dancing began in the grand ballroom with music provided by the George Washington Orchestra. Wile there have been hundreds of dances and dinners since that gala inaugural in 1923, theye probably never achieved quite the same degree of magic.
In the years to come the fame of the George Washington spread far beyond the borders of Pennsylvania and it did indeed attain a degree of national prominence. Some vamous visitiors signed the guest book during the first 15 years included the great contralto Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Joan Blondell, Henry Ford, Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Lou Gehrig, and Lowell Thomas.
The handsome invitation read: "You are cordially invited to be present at the formal opening of the George Washington Hotel, Washington, Pennsylvania, Afternoon and Evening, February twenty-second. twenty-third, and twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred twenty-three."
The three-day schedule of festivities with which Washington opened its grand new hostelry took on the air of a pagent as one gala event followed another. On Thursday, Washington's birthday, there was a reception and inspection of the new building in the afternoon; this was followed by the stockholder's banquet at 7 p.m. ($5 per person); and then there was dancing in the elegant ballroom until 1 a.m. On Friday another luncheon and open house were scheduled. Dinner at 6 p.m. ($3 per person) was again followed by dancing until 1 a.m. A business men's dinner on Saturday concluded the three-day affair.
The opening of the George Washington Hotel was the climax of a two-year project to provide Washington wiht an appropriate and very necessary hotel. Accommodations for visitors in town were so poor that very often tourists had to be put up in private homes. Promoters of the hotel project, including R.L. McCarrell, John H. Donnan, John W. Leonard, R.M. Pacton, W.R. McIlvaine. J.L. Lockhart, John B. Allison, A.C. Warne, M.W. McClane. J.D. Bigger, and C.S. Caldwell, had been pushing the idea since 1920. Finally the details were outlined by another enthusiastic supporter, Richard G. Miller, at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on January 21, 1921. A fund-raising campaign of $1,200,000 was undertaken, and local banks almost immediately took over a $600,000 issue of first mortgage bonds. Another $600,000 was offered to the public at $50 per share. A particular effort was made to encourage women to buy stock and become part owners of the hotel. They were urged by a special committee to take advantage of the opportunity to buy shares in amounts ranging from $100 to $2,000 each. All who did so automatically became charter members of the George Washington Hotel Women's Club. Ladies who served on the promotion committee included Mrs. M.D. McClane, Miss Mary H. Lockhart, Mrs. W.S. Burchial, Mrs. J.W. Wallace, Mrs. Esther C. Humphrey, and Mrs. C.S. Caldwell.
The public drive for funds was so successful that the $600,000 had been fully subscribed within one month after the announcement. In fact the financing had been taken care of before a site had even been selected. That was one of the first matters to be considered when the stockholders met to elect a board of directors.
The location was soon chosen. The hotel was to be built at the southeast corner of Cherry Avenue and Main Street on lots numbered 91, 92, and 93 in the original plan of the town when it had been laid out 141 years earlier. The lots fronted 60 ft. each on Monogahela Street (later known as Market and finally Main) and were 240 ft. deep. A second important matter was settled with the selection of W.L. Stoddart of New York City as the architect. He soon produced plans for a ten-story structure to be built in Adams period style.
From the beginning special care was taken into insure that this hotel would be one of the finest in the nation. Some of the construction statistics are rather interesting. there were 995 tons of steel used the framework, as well as the 136, 556 cubic feet of concrete, 190,000 tiles, and 740,000 bricks. The 210 guest rooms were equipped with private baths; hot and cold running water, including ice water; and there were 800 electric light fixtures in the building. At one time there were as many as 500 men working on the construction project.
The second floor was said to have the finest rooms (although the management was justly proud of all 210). There the walls were paneled and painted ivory and the furniture was hand decorated and enameled. Furnishings included twin beds, dresser, night stand, writing desk and chair, luggage rack, full length mirror, and an easy chair. Each room was also equipped with its own telephone. Rooms on the other floors were furnished alike,with Sheraton pieces made especially for the hotel. On the northwest corner of the tenth floor was a three-room "presidential suite" consisting of two bedrooms, which was furnished with hand carved walnut pieces. It was said hat "no hotel in the country contains a finer presidential suite, not even those where the President is a regular guest."
As for the public rooms on the first floor and mezzanine, they too, were most handsomely furnished. The Albert Pick company of Chicago had been commissioned to design the furniture, window shades, and draperies especially for the hotel. All shades were made of puffed sunfast silk and all draperies were lined and interlined. The marble floor of the lobby was covered with an Austrian hand-tuffed rug and was over the desk hung a large oil painting of George Washington in colonial dress. The colors in the lobby were predominantly red and gold.
The color used in the main dining room, which opened off the lobby, was green and the six wondows were hung with draperies of heavy silk velour. Named the "General Grant Room" in honor of the President who had visited Washington so often, the dining room could seat 300 guests. Special service plates for use in the dining rom were decorated with a design showing the Administration Building of W&J built in 1793, with a stagecoach in front surrounded by ladies and gentlemen dressed in colonial costumes. Even the silverware had been especially made. Each piece was decorated with the Washington family crest, which wsa the official emblem of the hotel. The spacious dining room was lighted by six large crystal chandeliers of the Adams period.
But it was the ballroom on the mezzanine which was referred to as the "pride of the George Washington." Its 45 by 80 ft. length occupied in the entire northwest corner of the building. Decorated in blue and gold, it was also designed in the style fo the Adams period. A handsome mantle at the south end was surmounted by an elegant mirror, and two magnificent crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Four large pillars topped by decorative wreaths supported the blacony. Many of the furnishings in the ballroom came from the Peacock mansion in Pittsburgh. These included French handwoven Aubusson rugs, as well as the large brass andirons in front of the fireplace. There were also two rare tables, valuable vases, and a number of original oil paintings depicting characters who were famous in French history including Madame duBarry, Louis XVI, and Marie Antoinette, plus reproductions of paintings by Renolds, Gainesborough, and Rembrandt.
Two emblems bearing the official coat of arms of the Washington family were placed over the Main Street entrance of the building, just under two flag poles. The emblems are "exact reproductions" of the Washington family's coat of arms, and great care was taken to insure that the design was accurate. It was even submitted to Herald's College in London for verification. Made of terra cotta, the three by five ft. emblems were painted with colors which were baked and glazed to withstand the weather. the handsome designs include a black raven with outspread wings, a ducal coronet of gold, a slilver helmet and shield, two red bars, and three five-pointed stars.
So it was a small wonder that on the night of February 22, 1923, those who had worked so hard to provide Washington with its wonderful new hotel were in a mood to celebrate. The management had even arranged for the survices of an eight piece George Washington Orchestra, which was to remain permanently. At that very first dinner, R.L McCarrell presiding, the invocation was given by the Rev. William E. Slemmons, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The orchestra then struck up the national anthem, and before the more than 800 guests could be seated, a figure which looked for all the world like "the reincarntion of George Washington" appeared and proceeded to read from his diary his impressions of the hotel, the town named in his honor, and his feelings about western Pennsylvania in general. It was quite a show. This colorful bit of pageantry was followed by a sumptuous meal, the menu for which include supreme of grapefruit, celery hearts, mixed olives, consomme, cheese straws, sole, Parisienne potatioes, frozen fruit punch, filet mignon, fresh mushrooms, Bordelaise sauce, potato croquettes, asparagus tips, George Washington salad, ice cream, petits fours, salted almonds, and after dinner mints.
Following the dinner there were speeches and then the dancing began in the grand ballroom with music provided by the George Washington Orchestra. Wile there have been hundreds of dances and dinners since that gala inaugural in 1923, theye probably never achieved quite the same degree of magic.
In the years to come the fame of the George Washington spread far beyond the borders of Pennsylvania and it did indeed attain a degree of national prominence. Some vamous visitiors signed the guest book during the first 15 years included the great contralto Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Joan Blondell, Henry Ford, Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Lou Gehrig, and Lowell Thomas.
Friday, August 17, 2012
19th Art in the Garden!
It's almost that time of year again! The 19th annual Art in the Garden will be held on September 9, 2012 (it's a Saturday) from 2-6 pm. in Madeleine's Garden at the LeMoyne House! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the gate or ahead by calling 724-225-6740. This year we'll showcase original artwork by 60 renowned artists for affordable prices. Each artist will feature three pieces and countless bins of their prints.
This casual event is a unique blending of art, music and nature. Guests will enjoy strolling through our lush garden while viewing art, listening to music and enjoying yummy refreshments! Children under 12 are admitted for free! They are able to visit the Kid's Korner while parents can enjoy the rest of the festivities.
Art in the Garden is our most successful fundraiser for the Washington County Historical Society. Proceeds from the sold artwork will be donated back to the historical society. We really hope you can make it out!
This casual event is a unique blending of art, music and nature. Guests will enjoy strolling through our lush garden while viewing art, listening to music and enjoying yummy refreshments! Children under 12 are admitted for free! They are able to visit the Kid's Korner while parents can enjoy the rest of the festivities.
Art in the Garden is our most successful fundraiser for the Washington County Historical Society. Proceeds from the sold artwork will be donated back to the historical society. We really hope you can make it out!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Wyit Sprowls Bridge
Our public relations intern, Kelsey Bradley wrote this piece for the upcoming Focus. From East Finley Pennsylvania, she is very familiar with the covered bridges in the area.
The Wyit Sprowls Bridge is one the of the better-known covered bridges in Washington County. In fact, it is one of Claysville, Pennslvania's crown jewels, making the list of the few attractions to visit while in Claysville. The bridge is 43 feet long and 11.6 feet wide, a little larger than most covered bridges built during that time. This particular bridge was built with a "Queen Truss," to accommodate the larger length. While it is unknown who built the bridge, the bridge was named after Wyit Sprowls, the man who owned the surronding property.
The Wyit Sprowls was originally built in 1886, but was torn down and reconstructed in East Finley park in 1998, over 200 years later! Construction ended in 1999 and was completely renovated which ensured the construction of the bridge was safe enough for cars to pass over. When it was rebuilt, the bridge was constructed with two windows on each side, rather than the original three. The bridge was built with the same truss style and as a result of keeping the design the same, it is one of the only covered bridges left in Washington County that can still be driven over.
Covered bridges were built with the similiar design and color scheme because most towns did not have experienced builders, and this design was simple enough for almost anyone to complete. Another reason the design stayed the same is because the bridges resembled a barn, making it easier for animals to want to cross it. A roof was placed over the bridge because it kept it from caving under the rain, snow and ice, which made them last much longer than regular bridges.
The Wyit Sprowls Bridge is one of twenty-three covered bridges still standing in Washington County today. Pennsylvania as a whole is home to 227 covered bridges, which is the most covered bridges in the United States!! As a result of having so many bridges, we celebrate the Covered Bridge festival, taking place September 15-16, the Wyit Sprowls being one of the locations it will be held!
The Wyit Sprowls Bridge is one the of the better-known covered bridges in Washington County. In fact, it is one of Claysville, Pennslvania's crown jewels, making the list of the few attractions to visit while in Claysville. The bridge is 43 feet long and 11.6 feet wide, a little larger than most covered bridges built during that time. This particular bridge was built with a "Queen Truss," to accommodate the larger length. While it is unknown who built the bridge, the bridge was named after Wyit Sprowls, the man who owned the surronding property.
The Wyit Sprowls was originally built in 1886, but was torn down and reconstructed in East Finley park in 1998, over 200 years later! Construction ended in 1999 and was completely renovated which ensured the construction of the bridge was safe enough for cars to pass over. When it was rebuilt, the bridge was constructed with two windows on each side, rather than the original three. The bridge was built with the same truss style and as a result of keeping the design the same, it is one of the only covered bridges left in Washington County that can still be driven over.
Covered bridges were built with the similiar design and color scheme because most towns did not have experienced builders, and this design was simple enough for almost anyone to complete. Another reason the design stayed the same is because the bridges resembled a barn, making it easier for animals to want to cross it. A roof was placed over the bridge because it kept it from caving under the rain, snow and ice, which made them last much longer than regular bridges.
The Wyit Sprowls Bridge is one of twenty-three covered bridges still standing in Washington County today. Pennsylvania as a whole is home to 227 covered bridges, which is the most covered bridges in the United States!! As a result of having so many bridges, we celebrate the Covered Bridge festival, taking place September 15-16, the Wyit Sprowls being one of the locations it will be held!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Last Class in 1948: Seminary Closes it's Doors
Another great story from Harriet Branton! The Washington Female Seminary was a large part of LeMoyne history, and we have yet to put a story up about it on our blog page! This particular post talks about the final days of the Seminary in 1948. The last building was torn down last year to build another building for W&J College.
After teh retirement of Mrs. Sarah R. Hanna as principal of the Washington Female Seminary in 1874, the school continued to prosper under the capable administration of the new principal, Miss Nancy Sherrard. From the pupil's point of view, however, boarding school life in the late 1870s was not without its hazards. Illness sometimes created problems, as reported by one anonymous sufferer who wrote of a rather unusual experience. One day a student became ill with the flu (or a severe cold) and Miss Sherrard was summoned. The principal confirmed the diagnosis and bustled away to prepare her favorite remedy. She soon returned with an assistant bearing what was described as "about a peck of smoking corn in one hand and a gallon, more or less, of catnip tea in the other."
The patient was expected to consume both, and meekly did so; she was then left in peace and quiet to await the results. Soon she had perspired so profusely that the bedding was soaked. Some of classmates who dropped in to check on her were horrified; they resourcefully raided an empty bedroom for clean sheets to change the bed. Miss Sherrard, of course, found out and was sure that her patient would have a relapse; fortunately, however, she recovered nicely and, with the threat of another corn sweat hanging over her, she luckily never had another cold during the remainder of her stay at the seminary.
By the mid-80s the seminary was graduating an average of 20 students annually; in 1884 there were 140 pupils in attendance, 60 of whom were boarders. To keep pace with the steady growth of the institution, the trustees decided to construct a new wing for the building. Work was begun in June 1883 and on February 21, 1884, the dedication of the facility took place. The ceremonies were attended by about 500 people who afterwards inspected the 30 rooms of the new four-story wing. Construction costs came to a little more than $11,000; the total value of the building and grounds was then estimated to be about $25,000.
The completion of the new wing was especially welcome to the prep school youngsters. For some years prior to 1884 the little girls in the preparatory division had had their classes on the second floor of a small frame structure behind the main building. They had dubious distinction of being labeled the "wash house preps," because the ground floor of the little building contained the laundry facilities. Never mind, they did have a good time; more than one alumna wrote of her memories of those days- of being seated on great benches with desks much too large for small bodies and short legs, while the odors of hot suds from the laundry below permeated the whole building. The "unimportant juveniles" did have soem fun, however, since the hinged tops of the huge black desks made very convenient barricades for little people to dive behind and munch off bits of taffy or other goodies. Other fond memories included recollections of benches in the assembly hall which were so wide it was hard to sit properly; kittens which were smuggled into morning devotions, and one lively scholarwho was occasionally prompted at Sunday services to leap from pew to pew from the back of the church to the front.
Mis Sherrard's successful and competent administration came to an end in 1897. She had served with distinction for 23 years. Her relationship with the faculty had been harmonious; teacheres and pupils alike found her always ready with wise counsel, hearty sympathy, and cooperation. As a disciplinarian she was firm and just, and she did all in her power to create a homelike atmosphere at the school. Like Mrs. Hanna before her, Miss Sherrard was credited with maintaining the standards of the seminary and insuring its success. The trustees were sorry to see her go when they approved her request for retirement in 1897.
Miss Sherrard was followed, from 1897-1901, by Mrs. Martha McMillian who worked untiringly to increase the prestige of the school. It was during her term as principal that a college preparatory course was introduced and a second building was added to the seminary complex. Elice Mercur, a successful Pittsburgh architect, was selected by the trustees to design the new building. Since the mid-80s she had made quite a reputation for herself in a profession which in those days belonged almost exclusively to men. A member of a distinguished family from Towanda, Bradford County, Miss Mercur already had ties with Washington County. Her uncle, Ulysses Mercur, an 1842 graduate of Jefferson College, had studied law with T.M.T. McKennan and become a well-known member of the Pennsylvanian bar. From 1883 to 1888 he was Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Miss Mercur had studied abroad and had also attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Among her commissions were Episcopal churches in Pittsburgh and Johnsonburg, Pa., as well as the Women's Building for the International Cotten States Exposition in Atlanta, Ga. The new seminary building, constructed in 1897 at a cost of about $20,000, it was a four-story brick structure with classrooms, an assembly hall, and a gymnasium. Miss Mercur must have become a familiar figure in Washington during its construction, for it was her custom to inspect the laying of the foundation and personally to direct the workmen "from the first stone laid to the last nail driven." Today this building, now known as McIlvaine Hall, belongs to W&J College.
Financial woes, which had never appeared to be much of a problem to the seminary during the 19th century, began to plague the administration about the time of the first World War. In 1922 a most ambitious fund-raising project was undertaken jointly by trustees and alumnae. For some years there had been a move afoot to locate the school away from the central part of town. Trinity Hall Military Academy, which had closed its doors just 15 years earlier, was regarded by the Alumnae Association as an ideal site for the seminary. The 36-acre campus with its administration building, dormitory addition, and other buildings was for sale. The trustees secured an option for the property and recommended a fund-raising campaign for $100,000 to be used to purchase the site and erect a new building.
The campaign began with much optimism. Brochures pointed out that, since the seminary was partially self-sustaining in 1922, its future would be assured if it could raise this amount for the Trinity Hall project. Newspaper articles described various fund raising plans and the drive seemed to be well under way. For some reason, however, the goal was never achieved and the project was abandoned. Finally in 1925 the Trinity Hall property was purchased by several townships surrounding the city of Washington for the establishment of a joint high school. As Trinity High School, this public institution today occupies the handsome campus which had once been considered as a home for the Washington Seminary.
So the seminary continued to operate in its two buildings at the corner of Maiden and Lincoln Streets. Its rules were still quite strict and there were three departments of four years each- primary, intermediate, and academic. Students in the academic department could sign up for a college preparatory or general course. By the early 1930sfinancial pressures and increased competition from the growing number of public high schools created so many difficulties that in 1932 the trustees voted to close the school. Through the efforts of a devoted faculty and a determined principal, however, the seminary reopened almost immediately as a day school and hunior college and it continued to operate on this basis for another 16 years. Accreditation and financial problems continued to plague the administration and after the second World War the pressures became more intense. The school property had been sold to W&J in 1939; so, homeless and without funds, the trustees gave up the struggle for good in December 1947. The 112th commencement in June 1948 was the last.
After teh retirement of Mrs. Sarah R. Hanna as principal of the Washington Female Seminary in 1874, the school continued to prosper under the capable administration of the new principal, Miss Nancy Sherrard. From the pupil's point of view, however, boarding school life in the late 1870s was not without its hazards. Illness sometimes created problems, as reported by one anonymous sufferer who wrote of a rather unusual experience. One day a student became ill with the flu (or a severe cold) and Miss Sherrard was summoned. The principal confirmed the diagnosis and bustled away to prepare her favorite remedy. She soon returned with an assistant bearing what was described as "about a peck of smoking corn in one hand and a gallon, more or less, of catnip tea in the other."
The patient was expected to consume both, and meekly did so; she was then left in peace and quiet to await the results. Soon she had perspired so profusely that the bedding was soaked. Some of classmates who dropped in to check on her were horrified; they resourcefully raided an empty bedroom for clean sheets to change the bed. Miss Sherrard, of course, found out and was sure that her patient would have a relapse; fortunately, however, she recovered nicely and, with the threat of another corn sweat hanging over her, she luckily never had another cold during the remainder of her stay at the seminary.
By the mid-80s the seminary was graduating an average of 20 students annually; in 1884 there were 140 pupils in attendance, 60 of whom were boarders. To keep pace with the steady growth of the institution, the trustees decided to construct a new wing for the building. Work was begun in June 1883 and on February 21, 1884, the dedication of the facility took place. The ceremonies were attended by about 500 people who afterwards inspected the 30 rooms of the new four-story wing. Construction costs came to a little more than $11,000; the total value of the building and grounds was then estimated to be about $25,000.
The completion of the new wing was especially welcome to the prep school youngsters. For some years prior to 1884 the little girls in the preparatory division had had their classes on the second floor of a small frame structure behind the main building. They had dubious distinction of being labeled the "wash house preps," because the ground floor of the little building contained the laundry facilities. Never mind, they did have a good time; more than one alumna wrote of her memories of those days- of being seated on great benches with desks much too large for small bodies and short legs, while the odors of hot suds from the laundry below permeated the whole building. The "unimportant juveniles" did have soem fun, however, since the hinged tops of the huge black desks made very convenient barricades for little people to dive behind and munch off bits of taffy or other goodies. Other fond memories included recollections of benches in the assembly hall which were so wide it was hard to sit properly; kittens which were smuggled into morning devotions, and one lively scholarwho was occasionally prompted at Sunday services to leap from pew to pew from the back of the church to the front.
Mis Sherrard's successful and competent administration came to an end in 1897. She had served with distinction for 23 years. Her relationship with the faculty had been harmonious; teacheres and pupils alike found her always ready with wise counsel, hearty sympathy, and cooperation. As a disciplinarian she was firm and just, and she did all in her power to create a homelike atmosphere at the school. Like Mrs. Hanna before her, Miss Sherrard was credited with maintaining the standards of the seminary and insuring its success. The trustees were sorry to see her go when they approved her request for retirement in 1897.
Miss Sherrard was followed, from 1897-1901, by Mrs. Martha McMillian who worked untiringly to increase the prestige of the school. It was during her term as principal that a college preparatory course was introduced and a second building was added to the seminary complex. Elice Mercur, a successful Pittsburgh architect, was selected by the trustees to design the new building. Since the mid-80s she had made quite a reputation for herself in a profession which in those days belonged almost exclusively to men. A member of a distinguished family from Towanda, Bradford County, Miss Mercur already had ties with Washington County. Her uncle, Ulysses Mercur, an 1842 graduate of Jefferson College, had studied law with T.M.T. McKennan and become a well-known member of the Pennsylvanian bar. From 1883 to 1888 he was Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Miss Mercur had studied abroad and had also attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Among her commissions were Episcopal churches in Pittsburgh and Johnsonburg, Pa., as well as the Women's Building for the International Cotten States Exposition in Atlanta, Ga. The new seminary building, constructed in 1897 at a cost of about $20,000, it was a four-story brick structure with classrooms, an assembly hall, and a gymnasium. Miss Mercur must have become a familiar figure in Washington during its construction, for it was her custom to inspect the laying of the foundation and personally to direct the workmen "from the first stone laid to the last nail driven." Today this building, now known as McIlvaine Hall, belongs to W&J College.
Financial woes, which had never appeared to be much of a problem to the seminary during the 19th century, began to plague the administration about the time of the first World War. In 1922 a most ambitious fund-raising project was undertaken jointly by trustees and alumnae. For some years there had been a move afoot to locate the school away from the central part of town. Trinity Hall Military Academy, which had closed its doors just 15 years earlier, was regarded by the Alumnae Association as an ideal site for the seminary. The 36-acre campus with its administration building, dormitory addition, and other buildings was for sale. The trustees secured an option for the property and recommended a fund-raising campaign for $100,000 to be used to purchase the site and erect a new building.
The campaign began with much optimism. Brochures pointed out that, since the seminary was partially self-sustaining in 1922, its future would be assured if it could raise this amount for the Trinity Hall project. Newspaper articles described various fund raising plans and the drive seemed to be well under way. For some reason, however, the goal was never achieved and the project was abandoned. Finally in 1925 the Trinity Hall property was purchased by several townships surrounding the city of Washington for the establishment of a joint high school. As Trinity High School, this public institution today occupies the handsome campus which had once been considered as a home for the Washington Seminary.
So the seminary continued to operate in its two buildings at the corner of Maiden and Lincoln Streets. Its rules were still quite strict and there were three departments of four years each- primary, intermediate, and academic. Students in the academic department could sign up for a college preparatory or general course. By the early 1930sfinancial pressures and increased competition from the growing number of public high schools created so many difficulties that in 1932 the trustees voted to close the school. Through the efforts of a devoted faculty and a determined principal, however, the seminary reopened almost immediately as a day school and hunior college and it continued to operate on this basis for another 16 years. Accreditation and financial problems continued to plague the administration and after the second World War the pressures became more intense. The school property had been sold to W&J in 1939; so, homeless and without funds, the trustees gave up the struggle for good in December 1947. The 112th commencement in June 1948 was the last.
Friday, June 29, 2012
David Bradford Wants YOU!
It's about that time again, the Whiskey Rebellion Festival will be here before you know it! On July 26-28 in several locations in Washington County, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Food, music, historical street and re-enactments, there is something different going on each day and you won't want to miss it!
Here's some history behind the Whiskey Rebellion, and why we celebrate this exciting time in Pennsylvania history. This information comes from the Whiskey Rebellion Festival website:
The Whiskey Rebellion was originally was a tax protest in the early years of the United States, starting in 1791. During George Washington's presidency, farmers who sold their grain in the form of whiskey were required to to pay a new tax, which they did not agree with. This was Alexander Hamilton's program of getting the country out of national debt.
This new tax was extremely unpopular in western states, including southwestern Pennsylvania. Protestors would often start riots and try to intimidate the tax collectors coming through. In one instance, an angry mob tarred and feathered a tax collector.
In response, President Washington called in a militia of 13,000 men in an attempt to stop the violence. However, by the time the the militia arrived, the rebels dispersed and there was no confrontation. The response showed that the government had the right to levy taxes and suppress voilent resistance to its laws.
For more information and the complete schedule of events, visit the Whiskey Rebellion Festival's website at http://www.whiskeyrebellionfestival.com/. There's something for each member of the family, so you won't want to miss out any of the days!
Here's some history behind the Whiskey Rebellion, and why we celebrate this exciting time in Pennsylvania history. This information comes from the Whiskey Rebellion Festival website:
The Whiskey Rebellion was originally was a tax protest in the early years of the United States, starting in 1791. During George Washington's presidency, farmers who sold their grain in the form of whiskey were required to to pay a new tax, which they did not agree with. This was Alexander Hamilton's program of getting the country out of national debt.
This new tax was extremely unpopular in western states, including southwestern Pennsylvania. Protestors would often start riots and try to intimidate the tax collectors coming through. In one instance, an angry mob tarred and feathered a tax collector.
In response, President Washington called in a militia of 13,000 men in an attempt to stop the violence. However, by the time the the militia arrived, the rebels dispersed and there was no confrontation. The response showed that the government had the right to levy taxes and suppress voilent resistance to its laws.
For more information and the complete schedule of events, visit the Whiskey Rebellion Festival's website at http://www.whiskeyrebellionfestival.com/. There's something for each member of the family, so you won't want to miss out any of the days!
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