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86.54.23
July 26,1967
Mr. Arthur Dougla Farquhar 1601 Olney-Sandy Spring Road Sandy Spring, Maryland
Dear Mr. Farquhar:
It is my most pleasant duty to inform you that the Board of Education of Montgomery County at its meeting on July 24, 1967, voted to officially name a school, tentatively called Sherwood-Olney, the "William H. Farquhar Midde School," honoring him for his work as the first president of the Montgomery County Board of School Commissioners in 1860.
This new school is located on Batchelor's Forest Road. The plans were drawn by Duane and Duane. The contract for construction was awarded to Allen C. Minnix and Sons at a bid of $1,679,151 on Febuary 20, 1967. It will be our first middle school designed for grades four to eight with 44 teaching stations for 1,100 pupils. Several teachers have been on leave for a year further study to qualify them for key posistions in this new school which is expected to open in September 1968.
You will be informed later of plans for dedicatory services in the hope that members of the family may be present and participte.
I am happy to inform you of this action by our Board and to concur with its members in the sentiments expressed.
Sincerly, Homer O. Elseroad Superintendent
AUG 6 - 1967 HOE:fhe
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Aug. 2, 1967
Dear Dr. Elserod:
Thanks so much for your letter of July 26 regarding the name for the new school being built on Batchelor's Forest Road. When Guy Jewell talked to my wife a few days before it came as a complete suprise to us to know that the name was to be "William H. Farqhuar Middle School". To have his memory so honored is much appreciated by the whole family.
As you probably know he was the author of the 1st Volume of the Annals of Sandy Spring. I have not had time as yet to refresh my recollection of what he did for the "School Board" but it seems appropriate to quote a couple of paragraphs form the account for the year ending in April 1866. He had mentioned a couple of private schools in this neighborhood and the wrote: "In connection with this subject is is proper to mention that the new system of public shools, inaugurated in our State under the new Constitiution, was at once introduced into our neighborhood.
"In regard ot this important subject, it is well for us to remind ourselves that the grand object and ultimate aim of this vital institution is to level upwards. Therefore, it any community (such as ours for instance) shall consider that it is not much benefitted at first, it may be consoled by the self-complacent idea that the high position it occupies has not yet been reached by the swelling tide, perceptible only on average elevations. But the tide is swelling, and will reach even them. Let us be patient; the beneficial wave of intellectual light ever rises, and can know no ebb. "For God Himself is Light!"
"Another school was organized in the neighborhood during the present year, altogether as successful, and probably quite as useful as the preceeding. A school for colored people was no new thing in our neighborhood: and tho the attempt to keep it up was often interrupted and the school dispersed by violence under color of law, it served among sundry other causes to attract and retain the more valuable class of operatives. Viewed in a merely material and selfish light, it was a benefit to us all.
"These advantages, and many more of a much higher character have beeen secured and confirmed by the truly admirable teaching of Mrs. Clarke, the lady who undertook the arduous task of conducting the present colored school, situated in a spot that has borne the name of Sharp Street. Every person who is willing to visit there, and to give full play to the instincts of reason, justice and humanity, while listening to the exercises, must echo with honest enthusiasm the beautiful counlet they fondly sing-- 'Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light!"
I am sure I will find other refrences to Schools in Montgomery County a hundered years ago and I will pass some of the on to you.
Cordially Yours A. D. Farquher