ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND PRINCIPAL DATES RELATING TO THE RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE. The School was founded by Stephen Van Rensselaer, Nov. 5th, 1824. See his letter of that date to Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D. D. 1826, March 21, it was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, as the President and Trustees of the Rensselaer School." (Laws of 1826, p. 63.) And was located at the north end of Troy, in the building called "the old Bank place." In 1832, by an act of the Legislature, the name was changed to “The Rensselaer Institute." Laws of 1832, p. 567. In April, 1834, the Rensselaer Institute, with the consent of Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, was removed to the Vanderheyden Mansion House in Troy. In 1835, an act was passed, increasing the number of Trustees, adding the Mayor and Recorder, and also the Alderman of the Fourth ward. Laws of 1835, p. 296. In 1837, an act was passed reviving the Troy Academy, and uniting it with the Rensselaer Institute, and giving the Regents of the University the right of visitation. Laws of 1837. In 1843, the city of Troy gave to the Rensselaer Institute "the Infant School lot," corner of Sixth and State streets, valued at $6,500, provided Wm. P. Van Rensselaer gave a like amount in money to the Institute. In 1844, the Rensselaer Institute was removed from the Vanderheyden Mansion House to the building erected on the Infant School lot. In 1850, March 8, an act was passed enlarging the Board of Trustees, and adding the Mayor of Troy, ex-officio. Laws of 1850, p. 54. In 1861, April 8, an act was passed changing the name, and incorporating the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Laws of 1861, p. 428. The fire of May 10, 1862, destroyed the buildings and all the furniture, appurtenances, library and cabinets, together with the records of the Board of Trustees. The School took refuge in the University on the hill (now the Provincial Seminary), until the fall of the year, when it obtained quarters in Vail's Building, corner of Congress and River streets, till May 1st, 1864, when the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute entered into possession of the land and buildings at the head of Broadway, where it now is. The Winslow Laboratory, named in honor of John F. Winslow, Esq., former President of the Institute, was commenced in 1865, and completed September, 1866. CATALOGUE ·OF- OFFICERS AND STUDENTS -OF THE- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1824-1874. TROY, N. Y. : WM. H. YOUNG, 8 & 9 FIRST STREET. 1875. |