The New York Military Academy has a rich history spanning one hundred and thirty-two years. I have surrounded myself with school history in my office, with portraits of previous superintendents, 100 year-old catalogues, and old yearbooks. These tokens of the past serve as inspiration for me. I love our history, and recognize that those cadets a hundred years ago are no different than those who walk the same halls today. Old Grads, our Alumni, sometimes tell me how different the school is from “way back then.” Maybe it is. Recently, however, I acquired something that paints a different portrait.
I weekly glimpse the auctions on eBay, looking for items to bring “home” to NYMA. I have found a collection of The Ramble (our school newspaper), portraits of cadets – once treasured by their parents, and even an old stuffed animal NYMA mascot from who knows when. But my latest acquisition was truly special as it demonstrates how NYMA has, even over one hundred fifteen years, remained the same.
I stumbled across a listing entitled “Antique 1904 New York Military Academy Items Take a LOOK !!!!!!!!!!!” 1904 NYMA items with bidding started at $9.99 – well I had to try to win them and I did. (Sorry if you were the other person bidding against me). An item was described as “a bunch of old stuff” but it was so much more. There was a letter, and here is what was written:
NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY
S.C. JONES, C.E. SUPERINTENDENT
CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.
March 19, 1905
Dear Ruby:
I received your most welcome letter and you may be sure that I was glad to hear that your cold is much better.
I suppose Mae and Florence had a good time in New York City. I understood that they were going to the theater and then I believe they were to meet Papa.
Cornwall village is restricted to the cadets because there are several cases of Scarlet fever and Mrs. Jones is trying to keep it out of the school. We have not any of it yet and I can assure you we do not want any of it.
The other night some of the cadets went around the building after taps and stole the fatigue pants of every cadet. The next morning every fellow was looking for his pants.
I hope Grandma is getting along all right with Aunt Kibling.
Hoping you are all well, I remain,
Your loving brother,
Fred
“Fred,” Superintendent Jones, was our superintendent from 1894-1922. His portrait hangs right by my desk at NYMA. Somehow that letter returned to where Col. Jones wrote it to remind us of how things remain the same. Today we’re restricted to Cornwall; they were restricted, too. We are protecting the cadets from COVID-19; they were worried about Scarlet Fever. Through it all, both groups remain kids – playing pranks, having fun, and building bonds. Thank you, “Fred”, for looking over my shoulder at NYMA, and reminding us how NYMA hasn’t changed.
-Christine C. McDonald, Dean of Academics
