From time to time, different sums were bequeathed and bestowed for this enterprise by philanthropic people until, in 1851, buildings were erected on Lombard street for the permanent establishment of this institution of learning, in which location it remained until 1866. At that time it had become clearly evident that the enterprise had reached such proportions that more ample and convenient accommodations were urgently required. A movement, therefore, was set on foot to accomplish the work, if possible, and a sufficient number of interested friends were found to erect the large and commodious building now situated on Bainbridge street, above Ninth, at a cost of $40,000, including the ground.
The officers and committees of the corporation are men belonging to the Society of Friends, but most of the teachers are women who have worked hard to obtain the education necessary to make them capable instructors of their own race. The principal, Mrs. Fanny L. Jackson Coppin, whose attainments fit her for the principalship of any of the highest grade schools, has received an education that would graduate her from any of our first-class colleges. Besides this she is a woman of strong common sense. The following persons are the instructors:
Principal, Fanny L. Jackson Coppin; principal of the female department, Frazelia Campbell; teacher of natural and physical science, Edward A. Bouchet; teachers of English studies, Charles L. Moore, Charlotte Bassett, Julia F. Jones, Fanny A. Ramsey; teacher of sewing, Martha F. Minton; teacher of drawing, Katharine H. Ringwalt.
One splendid feature of this school is its practicality, an instance of which is shown in the fact that the boys are taught to sew as well as the girls. Realizing that the time will probably come to most of them when they will be obliged to do for themselves in every way, they are taught sewing on buttons, patching, darning and buttonhole-making. A boy who goes out from the Institute need never have his clothes in a dilapidated condition because he has no "women folks" to take care of them.
"Heed life's demands" is the watchword of the principal, and everything is made to conserve to that idea. Again, with this in mind, there is established in connection with the regular school of education what is known as a "kitchen garden." In this the little girls are taught housework in a limited way. They learn to sweep and scrub and make beds and all the rest of that kind of work, not only in a practical way, but from a common-sense point of view.
They are not merely taught that part of sweeping a room is wiping the finger-marks off of the doors, but they learn that when they bring the pail in for that purpose they must also bring with them a piece of carpet, or some such thing, upon which to set the pail and thus prevent an ugly ring or splashes upon the carpet or matting upon the floor. This is indeed a practical education. "We have this kitchen garden," says the principal, "for many of our pupils leave before they have completed the school course to go out to service or to remain at home. When they go from us they are not ignorant of the duties which await them."
In connection with the Institute there is an industrial department open to adults on three evenings of the week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Men who are otherwise employed through the day can come here to learn bricklaying, carpentry, painting, shoemaking, tailoring, plastering and shorthand and typewriting. This part of the school is under the supervision of George Astley, an instructor in the Manual Training School at Seventeenth and Wood streets. For women, three afternoons in the week are given; there are lessons in dressmaking, millinery and cooking, under the following instructors: Ida A. Burrell, instructor in dressmaking; M. Anna Earns, instructor in cooking.
There are other schools supported by the Friends, not only in the State of Pennsylvania, but in other States. Each one of these schools is well managed and is well supported. I am sorry that I cannot devote more space to this work, for it is so helpful and so characteristic of the Quakers.
MRS. FANNY L. JACKSON COPPIN.