Women of distinction/Chapter 65

CHAPTER LXV.

HARTSHORN MEMORIAL COLLEGE.

Hartshorn Memorial College is one of the two institutions under Baptist control devoted to the separate education of colored young women. This institution is located in the city of Richmond, State of Virginia. The work of instruction began November 7, 1883. It is chartered by the State of Virginia with full collegiate

HARTSHORN MEMORIAL COLLEGE.

and university powers, the charter bearing the date of March 13, 1884.

This institution was founded for the secondary and collegiate education of young women. This purpose is more fully expressed in the charter as follows:

Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That the following named persons, * * * with their associates and successors, are hereby incorporated under the name and style of the Hartshorn Memorial College, for the purpose of founding and maintaining an institution of learning of collegiate grade for the education of young women, to give instruction in science, literature and art, in normal, industrial and professional branches, and especially in Biblical and Christian learning, with such departments, schools and courses of study as the trustees shall deem proper and needful, and to confer such literary and honorary degrees as are wont to be conferred by colleges and universities in the United States.

Hartshorn Memorial College received its name from Deacon Joseph Charles Hartshorn, of Providence, R. I., afterwards (at the time of his death) of Newton Centre, Mass., by whose benefaction the institution was planted. As suggested by the name the institution stands as a memorial for Mrs. Rachel Thurber Hartshorn, whose death occurred shortly before its founding. The spirit in which the school was founded is expressed in the following mural inscription:

FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR THE

REDEMPTION ALIKE OF EVERY RACE, AND

FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY, WHOSE WELFARE DEPENDS UPON THE

INTELLIGENCE, VIRTUE AND PIETY OF THE LOWLY

AS WELL AS THE GREAT, AND

WITH TENDER SYMPATHY FOR A PEOPLE FOR WHOM TILL LATE

NO DOOR OF HOPE HAS BEEN OPENED AND ASPIRATION HAS BEEN VAIN, AND

WITH DESIRE AND HOPE FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE DARK

CONTINENT, THE FATHERLAND OF THE COLORED RACE,

IN MEMORY OF HIS SAINTED WIFE,

RACHEL HARTSHORN,

THAT HER FAITH AND CHARITY MIGHT BE REPRODUCED AND

PERPETUATED IN THE LIVES OF MANY, THIS

INSTITUTION WAS FOUNDED BY

JOSEPH C. HARTSHORN,

OF RHODE ISLAND.

Hartshorn Memorial College emphasizes the Christian elements in education. It does this for two reasons: First. It is believed that the Biblical and Christian element renders education better and more complete. It makes better and stronger thinkers, and nobler and more womanly women. This, and this only, can develop character which stands victorious over the world. Secondly. The work of lifting up and blessing the race must be done by consecrated Christians. It will be done by no others. It can be done by no others.

The institution was founded for women onlv, because it is believed that, under the present conditions, separate education is better; that it largely escapes certain difficulties, and has more advantages than disadvantages.

The gifts of Mr. Hartshorn, including a bequest of fifteen thousand dollars, amounted to forty-one thousand dollars. The grounds and buildings are valued at forty-five thousand dollars. The bequest referred to, with the necessary additional contributions, is expected to be used for the erection of another large college building.

The policy of the management is not to multiply numbers, but to select and sift, in order that students may have the better advantages, and that the best results of education may be reached. For this reason, or for some other, the normal graduates have been remarkably successful. They have made reputation for themselves and for their school, and have shown themselves especially devoted to the welfare of their people.

In the industrial department the young women receive such instruction and training as fits them to stand at the head of Christian homes—homes which shall be the nurseries of thrift, virtue and grace.

The charge for board, room and tuition is sixty-five dollars for the school year.

The engraving shown above does not now well represent the grounds of the institution. The grounds are fenced, and are well set with thrifty ornamental and shade trees.

Thus far the institution has had the advantage of uniform management under the same administrative officers. The president and the lady-principal have been with the institution from the beginning.

The Board of Instruction at this time is as follows: Rev. Lyman B. Tefft, a. M., President; Miss Carrie V. Dyer, Lady-Principal; Miss Lida M. Sutherland, Miss H. Amanda Miller, B. S., Mrs. Clara F. Written, Mrs. Prof. J. E. Jones, Miss Jennie S. Caro.

In May, 1892, the first college class was graduated, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science.