from a long sojourn abroad a Mr. Charles C. Perkins, belonging to one of the oldest and wealthiest families on Beacon Hill, whose leisure and ample fortune had given him every opportunity for study in the art centers of Europe. He had been a pupil of Ary Shaeffer’s and had pursued his studies at Munich, where he became not only very proficient in art but in music as well; he immediately became interested and enlisted the interest of his friends in advancing the progress of art in his native city. Mr. Perkins will be remembered as the President of the Handel and Haydn Society until the time of his death, which occured in 1886; also, as the donor of the statue of Beethoven to Music Hall, where, notwithstanding the changes that have taken place, it remains intact to-day.

Thus, through the efforts of that little coterie of friends headed by Mr Perkins, was established the Massachusetts Normal Art School, with its beginning in that little attic room in Pemberton Square, from which so many have gone forth from time to time, to win honor and fame.  It is officially stated that 65 per cent, of all the art teachers in the state of Massachusetts received their first start in this school. Through Mr. Perkins, Mr Walter Smith, who was a graduate of the South Kensington Art School, a teacher in the Leeds’ Art School at Leeds, England, and also a Commissioner of Art, was induced to come to this country and become the first Principal of the Normal Art School. His assistants were Mr. George H. Bartlett, Miss Mary Carter, with Mr William Ware and Mr. Warren as lecturers on mechanical art before the school.”

Reference Data:

National Magazine, Vol. 1, by Brayley, Tarbell and Chapple, 1895, page 666