Gen. Thayer Homestead Is Dedicated as Shrine
SOLDIER, technologist and educator are all apt descriptions of General Sylvanus Thayer, Dartmouth 1807, the "Father of West Point" and founder of technical education in the United States.
On April 30 the 240-year-old birthplace of General Thayer in Braintree, Mass., was dedicated as an historical shrine. Lt. Gen. Garrison H. Davidson, superintendent of the United States Military Academy, who spoke during the ceremonies, said of Thayer, "It has ever been a source of wonder to me that an individual who has done so much for our country is so little recognized outside of military circles."
The restoration of the Thayer birthplace was started over two years ago by the Braintree Historical Society. Moved from its original location in South Braintree, the "salt box" home now stands across from the Braintree Town Hall.
Thayer was bora oil June 9, 1785 and until he was a young man lived in Braintree. To prepare himself for Dartmouth, he taught school in Washington, N. H. As a Dartmouth undergraduate, Thayer was a serious, hard-working student and in his senior year was chosen valedictorian of his class. His appointment to West Point arrived before he delivered the valedictory address, but he was graduated with his class. The following year, 1808, he was graduated from West Point.
Thayer served as a major during the War of 1812 and studied military schools while in France. In 1817 he was appointed Superintendent of the Academy by President Monroe. During his sixteen years as superintendent he laid the foundation for West Point's honor system, instituted rigid discipline and created the high scholastic standards that are followed today.
New Hampshire's U.S. Senator Norris Cotton recently said o£ Thayer while visiting West Point, "One must sense his underlying purpose and marvel that this man was so far ahead of his time in his concept of real objectives of education, not merely to impart knowledge but to build character and capacity for leadership."
But Thayer was more than just an educator. He was a technologist. He introduced the first formal technical courses of study at any institution in the United States. Years later, in 1870, he founded the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Other colleges and universities which introduced technical courses of study followed Thayer's pattern and used people trained by him.
On the day of the dedication of Thayer's birthplace over 5,000 people gathered for the ceremonies. Representing the College was Alfred F. Bremble '56, Assistant to the Secretary.
