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Show Fall term with two complete terms having been held during the first year of operation. The early years of the Academy (from 1889 to 1902) can appropriately be called the Moench years. Louis Moench served as principal during more than a decade (1889-892 and 1894-1902) of Webers early growth and also served as a member of the Board of the Academy during much of this era. Moench directed the early growth of the Academy while teaching German, penmanship, theology, theory and practice of teaching, and drawing. Moenchs foresight and leadership were driving forces for education in Weber County for more than a quarter of a century as early as 1877 as superintendent of Weber County schools Moench wrote in his report to the trustees, I beg leave to Kindly ask the members of the legislature of our county, as well as county and city officers, to aid in establishing a college for our city, where our students may further qualify themselves for teaching, so that Weber County may maintain her position in educational advancement with the leading counties of our Territory. Moench knew that education was important for both young students and for mature men and women who had not had the advantage of formal education. The announcement of classes and activities for the 1889-1890 school year was published during the summer of 1889 by Browning Brothers. This annual consisted of 15 pages and was described by The Standard as presenting a neat appearance and being enveloped in a tasty paper cover. Classes for the second year began on August 18, 1889. New courses were added to the curriculum during the year including geology, ladies fancy work, phonography, German, Latin, biology, architectural drawing, instrumental music, U.S. history and calisthenics. The academy registered fewer students during the year than anticipated (108 during the first term) and many felt this was because of the new free school law for the territory which provided free tuition to public schools for children six to fourteen years of age. In an effort to attract more students and serve the public with education, the Academy offered an opportunity for community members to attend one or more classes of their choosing during the week. On November 10, 1889 The Standard headline announced: A CHANCE FOR ALL - ANYONE CAN ATTEND SCHOOL FOR AN HOUR EACH DAY. The announcement of the Academy suggested that anyone could attend a class during the week to improve a skill or learn a new subject. The Academy began to fill the needs of the community in a continuing education role. Three teachers including the principal were employed during the second term. Four advanced students served as assistant teachers during the year including Miss Aggie Herrick and Miss Jane West. At a February 1, 1890 meeting of the Weber Stake Board of Education, it was determined that the academy had outgrown the facilities available at the Second Ward Chapel and it should be moved to the Ogden Tabernacle located on the northwest corner of Washington Boulevard and 22nd Street. President Lewis Shurtliff suggested the use of the tabernacle including the reasons that it was more commodious and centrally located. The board agreed to borrow 2500 to fix up the tabernacle by adding partitions, closets, toilets, etc. In addition it was agreed that Appletons Encyclopedia would be purchased for the benefit of the Academy. During the 1889-1890 school year enrollment at the Second Ward building grew from 108 during the first term (66 male and 42 female students) to 184 during the third term (January to March) with the large majority of the students coming from Ogden. This third term saw every available seat occupied and the need to move to a larger facility. In his regular quarterly report to the Weber Stake Board of Education, Principal Moench noted, I simply wish to add therefore, that we all, pupils and teachers, feel that the Lord has been exceedingly merciful and kind unto us, for, notwithstanding that we have been laboring under the most severe and trying difficulties so far as schoolroom conveniences are concerned, we feel we have been greatly blessed and prospered, and we shall, therefore, ever look back with pleasing reflections upon the year and a quarter spent within the sacred walls of the second ward meeting house. During February 1890, work began on the tabernacle to prepare it to house the Academy. A raised floor was installed, partitions were added dividing the building into four departments, the outside walls were strengthened, skylights were added for light and ventilation, and the building was painted. All of the improvements came to a total cost of 1636. The Academy sessions opened in the tabernacle on Tuesday, April 8, 1890, and two weeks later, on April 22, President Lewis Shurtliff informed Principal Moench that questions had arisen concerning the legality of using the tabernacle for school purposes rather than strictly religious purposes. Under provisions of federal antipolygamy legislation, particularly the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 there was a distinct possibility that the building would be confiscated by the federal government if it were used for non-religious purposes. On April 29, the Mormon Churchs First Presidency notified the Academy that school should close at the tabernacle and on Friday, May 2, 1890 the Academy ended its brief month-long stay in the Ogden Tabernacle. Enrollment during this month had been 192 students. Principal Moench noted that the sudden closing of the school kept ten students from completing their studies and graduating. In April of 1890, the Weber Stake Board of Education began contemplating a proper home for the Academy including the Second Ward building or purchasing property and constructing an academy building. Sites considered for building included the Dinsdale property and the Chamberlain property west of Lester Park on the west side of Jefferson Avenue between 24th and 25th streets as well as the Williams property on the corner of 23rd and Spring Street (Adams Avenue). On May 6, the Board met in N. C. Flygares office in the Deseret National Bank Building and agreed to purchase the Dinsdale property with 68-12 feet frontage and a depth of 20 rods for 7000 and a 14 foot frontage piece adjoining the Dinsdale property on the north from N. C. Flygare for 1500. It was agreed that each board members name would appear on the deed as a party to and responsible for the purchase. Board members Flygare and Stanford were appointed as a committee to purchase the property and members Flygare, Stanford, and McQuarrie were appointed to arrange |