Johann Hermann* Altgelt, III

Über seine Schulgründung:

The Luisenschule was established in 1837 at the request of Protestant families, who wanted their daughters to receive "intellectual and moral instruction" beyond the primary level ot education. These men, representatives of seventeen "neupreußischen" families, called for a school partnership (cooperative) in life and therefore acted as the founding fathers of Luisenschule. Hermann Altgelt was the chairman of the founding meeting on February 19, 1837. He was governmental and school board commisioner and later held office as director of the school. Luisenschule opened October 30, 1837 in Ratinger Street, The date was the birthday of Princess Wilhelmine Luise of Prussia, who became the patroness of the new institution. The school was initially funded with private funds but this proved inadequate. A request for assistance from the public school fund was denied because the Luisenscule was a private institurion. Therefore, on April 24, 1854 the school became an institurion of the Protestant Evangelical community and became eligible for grants. Apart from the financial worries, the school also had its trouble with the room conditions and the teacher supply, so in 1839 it moved from Number 9 Ratinger Street, to Canal Street, and subsequently to Broad Street. In 1863 Luisenschule was able, through the influence of Commissioner Altgelt to obtain relocation to a school building in Stone Street. At this time the school obtained the prudent and progressive Dr. Victor Uellner, as its first full l time director. The rapid rise in the population and educational opportunities of the city of Dusseldorf led to reconsideration of its non-public status and in 1875 it was sold to the city for 100,000 Mark.