The Rittenhouse Journal

The Rittenhouse Journal was edited by Henry P. Blair and published by students at the Rittenhouse Academy in Washington, D.C. during 1883. Blair was likely born around 1868 in New Hampshire to Edward D. and Eliza N. Blair and lived in Washington, D.C. according to the 1880 census. He would have been around 15 years old at the time of publication. The newspaper includes school announcements and updates on the wellbeing of students and the progress of various school classes. They mention in the editorial that three students had "withdrawn from the Roll of Rittenhouse," their surnames being Danforth, Knox, and Brightwell. Danforth and Knox reported leaving to pursue business opportunities, while Brightwell had been absent from school for several days. Names of the teachers are also mentioned and these include Mr. Wight, Mr. W. Ashford, Mr. Hay, and Mr. Parson. There was a co-editor to the newspaper but the ink has faded on much of the paper and their name is illegible.

Rittenhouse Academy was a school established around 1844 on the corner of Third Street and Indiana Avenue in Washington, D.C. It was composed of an "English Department" and a High School. The "English Department" served to prepare students for the advanced classes in the High School.