The Linsly School, formerly known as the Linsly Military Institute, is a boarding and day school located in Wheeling, West Virginia.[5] It was founded in 1814 by Noah Linsly and chartered by the State of Virginia in the same year.[6] The school is the oldest preparatory school west of the Alleghenies.[7] It was originally known as the Lancastrian Academy.[7]
History
Linsly Institute building in 2023
Upon Noah Linsly's death in 1814, his will provided money for the establishment of a Lancastrian Academy in Wheeling, Virginia. In 1877, the Academy, located in the then newly-formed state of West Virginia, was renamed the Linsly Military Institute in honor of its founding benefactor. In July 1979 (between academic years), the school switched from a military-structured school to a traditional boys' preparatory school, and was renamed The Linsly School.[8]
The school's first location was in downtown Wheeling, purchased with the sale of two farms that Noah Linsly had left to the Lancastrian Academy.[9] The second building was in downtown Wheeling, Va. This building was used as a temporary statehouse when West Virginia became a state. The building is known as the First State Capitol. The third school building was located on National Road in the Woodsdale section of Wheeling. It was built in 1925 and officially named Thedah Place but was known as Old Main.[10] Linsly owned property across the creek from this building, where the dormitories were (and still are) located. The current school building was built as an extension of Behrens Gym in 1966 with a donation from Sophie Banes and is known as Banes Hall.[11]
Louis Bennett Jr. never attended Linsly but is memorialized by a statue, "The Aviator", outside of Banes Hall, one of 7 that his mother commissioned in his honor. Bennett joined the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and defeated enough German aircraft to become an ace before being shot down over France. Along with the statue, Sallie Maxwell Bennett also had a window inside Westminster Abbey created.[12][13]
Louis Bennett, Jr. spent much time in Wheeling during his youth, so when his mother's request to put the aviator statue in Washington, D.C., failed, she turned to Wheeling, where he had developed his love for aviation. After speaking with people in Wheeling, someone suggested that Linsly might be interested in hosting the statue. Linsly accepted, and the Aviator is now a Linsly icon. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh visited the statue and placed a wreath at the foot of the Aviator.[13]
Linsly originally enrolled both girls and boys. The Lancastrian Academy system required older students to reinforce their education by mentoring their younger peers. In 1861, during the American Civil War, Linsly became an all-boys school. In 1876, Linsly became a military institute under Headmaster John Burch and would continue to be so for the next 102 years. In 1979, Headmaster Reno Diorio transitioned Linsly to a traditional college preparatory school format. Then in 1988, Diorio led Linsly back to being a co-educational school, as it once had been.[11]
The Linsly Extravaganza, formerly known as the Minstrel, is a tradition begun in 1939 by Douglas Haigwood. The Extravaganza has allowed Linsly students to perform on stage for over 80 years.[11]
The Linsly Alma Mater was used for decades but fell into disuse:
All Hail Alma Mater, Thy Children Call. Mighty Thy Power, Dearest Friend To All. Sing For Dear Old Linsly, Sing For Loyalty Strong. All Hail Alma Mater, Linsly Hear Our Song.
The Linsly School Today
In 2007, Linsly ranged from 5th to 12th grade with a student body of about 420.
In the 2023-2024 school year, the school enrolled 449 students in grades 5–12.[14]
In celebration of Linsly's 200th academic year, the school campaigned to raise $10,000,000 for an addition to Banes Hall, the main academic building, renovations to many other on-campus facilities, and enriching Linsly's instructing capability.
As of 2024, Linsly had a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduating seniors.[15]
As a day and boarding school, Linsly is home to international students from many countries, including China, Finland, Canada, South Korea, Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Serbia, Brazil, and Japan.
Notable alumni
Carl G. Bachmann 1908, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
