File:Phoebe Baird to Alice Mary Longfellow, 30 November 1896 (a76d1eed-1716-4289-bcb7-75408b8240f6).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1007.001/002.003-001#069

[printed letterhead: Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute]
Hampton, Va., November 30, 1896.
Kind Friend:
It has been a long time since I have written to and now is the chance again to write. We all girls are to write a scholarships letters to day.
I am glad to say I am well and getting along very well so far. Hoping these few lines will find you in the same condition.
I suppose you would like to know all about what we are all doing this term. Since the [p. 2] school open that is the 1st of October we all have been very busy with our work, every thing seem to be coming out smoothly. We all seem to be trying to do what is supposed to be the best for us.
I am now in Junior class and I am trying to learn all I can while I have the chance. There are quite a number of girls in my class that we had to be devided [sic] into two divisions, so that we might learn more better than when we were all togather [sic]. The studies we have are as follows; Arithmetic, Geography, Reading, Science and Bible Lesson. I like science the best [p. 3] of all. We also have gymnastic, drawing and singing. But this term there is a chance for us both to be industrious and to do the acadamic [sic] work at the same time which I think is a very good plan.
Class go to industrial-room to sew twice a week.
I spent my vacation up north this summer in Stockbridge, Mass. I enjoyed myself very much, I liked the place very well too. When I came back here, again I noticed that there was great [p. 4] improvements on the school ground many new buildings have been put up also a large trade school which was opened the 19th of November. We had a holiday that day. A multitude of people came here to see and also some of the Trustees came from different places. Meeting was held at Memorial Chapel from 2 oclock to 4 o’clock, A.M. after the meeting was over we all went over to trade school.
I must tell you something about our Ten too, in which we make some things and sent them off by Christmas to some of the Hampton graduates who are now a teachers out west.
[p. 5] We belong to Miss Cleveland’s Ten. we also have her for our sunday school teacher. we all like her very much. On Sunday me have C. E. Meeting in the morning from 11:oclock to 12. In the afternoon we have sunday school classes which begans [sic] at 2. o’clock and at 4. o.clock we go to church. so it keeps us busy all a time to have so many exercises during the day.
I thank you very much for your kindness for me helping me with my education
[p. 6] I must now close my letter with best wishes to you.
Yours truly
Phoebe Baird.

• Keywords: long archives; document; alice m. longfellow papers (long 16173); organizations; hampton institute; education; correspondence; Manuscripts (1007.001); (LONG-Subcollection); Correspondence (1007.001/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Scholarship Student Correspondence (1007.001/002.003); (LONG-SubseriesName); Letters to Alice Longfellow (1007.001/002.003-001); (LONG-FileUnitName)