PLANS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PUTNAM FREE SCHOOL-HOUSE, NEWBURYPORT, Mass. We are indebted to W. H. Wells, Esq., the gentleman who has been selected as Principal of the Putnam Free School, and to whom the work of organizing this important institution has been committed, for the following plans and description. The Putnam Free School was founded by Mr. Oliver Putnam, a native of Newbury. It has a permanent fund of fifty thousand dollars, besides the amount invested in the school-house and its appur tenances. The number of pupils to be admitted at the opening of the school (April, 1848,) is limited by the Trustees to 80. No pupil can be received under twelve years of age, nor for less time than one year. The object of the Institution is to lead pupils through an extended course of English studv. It is open to students from any portion of the country, who are prepared to meet the requirements for admission. No charge is made for tuition. This building is situated on High street, directly opposite the Common or Mall. It is constructed of brick, with corners, door-sills, underpinning, steps, etc., of freestone. It is two stories in height, exclusive of a basement story, 85 feet in length, and 52 in breadth. The upper story is divided into two principal school-rooms, each 49 feet by 40. There is also a small room in this story for the use of the Principal. The lower story contains a hall for lectures and other general exercises, and four recitation rooms. The hall is 44 feet by 48. Two of the recitation rooms are 14 feet by 17, and two are 11 by 20. Each of the principal school-rooms is furnished with 64 single seats and desks, besides recitation chairs, settees, etc. The desks are made of cherry; and both the desks and the chairs are supported by iron castings, screwed firmly to the floor. In form and construction, they are similar to Kimball's "Improved School Chairs and Desks." The central aisles are two feet and eight inches in width; the side aisles, four feet and four inches; and the remaining aisles, two feet. The building is warmed by two furnaces. It is ventilated by six flues from the hall on the lower floor, six from each of the school-rooms on the second floor, and one from each of the recitation rooms. Each of these flues has two registers; one near the floor, and the other near the ceiling. The two principal school-rooms are furnished with double windows. The institution is provided with ample play-grounds and garden plots, back of the building and at the ends. It has also a bell weighing 340 lbs. The first appropriation of the Trustees for the purchase of apparatus, is one thousand dollars. Other appropriations will probably be made, as the wants of the school may require. In addition to the apparatus procured by the Trustees, the institution is to have the use of an achromatic telescope, which will cost between three and four hundred dollars. The cost of the building and ground, with the various appurtenances, exclusive of apparatus, has amounted to twenty-six thousand dollars. The accompanying plans give a correct representation of the arrangements on the two principal floors. The building was erected after designs and specifications by Mr. Bryant, Architect, Boston. H-Hall for lectures and other general exercises, 44 feet by 484. A-Raised platform for desk. D-Front door. (The portico in front does not appear in the plate.) B, B-Recitation rooms, 11 feet by 20. R, R-Recitation rooms, 14 feet by 17. E, E, E, E-Entries. C, C-Wash closets, under the stairs. a, a—Doors leading to the basement story. d, d, d, d, d, d, d, d, d, d—Doors. V, V, V, V, V, v, v, v, v, v.—Ventilating flues. E B P D Л E Л M, D-Room for Male Department. F, D-Room for Female Department A, A-Raised platforms for teachers' desks. L-Principal's room. C,C-Closets. P, P-Raised platforms under the black-boards. s, 8, 8, 8, s, s-Settees d, d, d, d, d, d—Doors. v, v, v, v, V, V, V, V, V, V, v, v-Ventilating flues 11. GIRLS' HIGH AND NORMAL SCHOOL, AT CHARLESTON, S. CAROLINA. THE PUBLIC HIGH AND NORMAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS in the City of Charleston, South Carolina, was established in 1858 and opened in the new building erected for its accommodation in 1860. The Commissioners of Free Schools, of which C. S. Memminger was chairman, thus set forth the purpose of this institution. The purpose of this School is two-fold. First, it proposes to add to the advantages of primary instruction given by the various Public Schools of lower grade, all the advantages of higher education which are offered by the best schools for girls. From the great advantages which a large public school, with ample resources, can always command over private schools, it is safe to say that in all the elements necessary to insure success, this school must be without a rival in our community, in furnishing that education which cultivated parents desire for their daughters. Its second purpose is the education of young ladies for the profession of teachers. It is proposed to form into a special class all those whose purpose it is to devote themselves to this honorable work, and whose qualifications admit of their receiving the proper course of instruction, and to devote as much time and labor to such exercises as will be of value to them in their future duties. These exercises will be such as would be of high value to any pupils sufficiently advanced to engage in them-to those who propose to teach they are indispensable. The power of teaching well comes not by intuition; the best kind of education would probably give it to most men, but most of even the well-educated men and women are without it, though to no person of average ability is its acquisition impossible. It comes, however, only as other arts come; by special training, by well-directed efforts, and by patient labor. By no means a secondary purpose in importance is that of furnishing to our city and State a corps of well-educated and intelligent young ladies, who will train, in their turn, the minds and hearts of the thousands who will be committed to their charge. The School is supplied with teachers of tried ability and large reputation, in all its departments. The several congressional districts of the State have a right to send fifteen pupils each to this school, to enter the Normal department. I. BUILDING AND FURNITURE. The building erected for the accomodation of this school, of which we furnish illustrations, has one School Room on the second floor 40 by 40 feet, with four class-rooms, each 18 by 23 feet; and a large Lecture Room on the third floor 40 by 63 feet, with two class-rooms, each 18 by 28 feet; and a Play Room 25 by 40 feet and Library on the first floor, and a room for the Commissioners on the Dome floor. COMMISSIONERS ROOM STAIRCASE DOME STORY |