Westfield State University - Tekoa Yearbook (Westfield, MA)

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This is where it all began Samuel P. Newman Principal 1839-1841 The Town Hall at Bane where the first co- educational State Normal School in the United States met from September 1839, to the illness and subsequent death of its principal. Exerpts from the Barre Gazette Boston, March 27, 1839 Normal School at Barre The Board of Education hereby gives notice that a Normal School, for the qualification of Male and Female Teachers of Common Schools, is to be established at Barre in the County of Wor- cester. Applicants for admission to said school must have attained the age of 17 years complete, if Males, and of 16 years complete if Females. They must be in the enjoyment of good health and must declare it to be their intention to be- come school teachers . . . July 5, 1839 The Normal School We have been shown a letter from a member of the Board of Education . . . Which states that the opening of the school on the first Wednesday of September will be attended by public and interesting cere- monies. His Excellency, Governor Everett has received and accepted of an invitation to deliver an address on the occasion, in addition to other and appropriate exercises. . . Sept. 6 (a Friday), 1839 Normal School The Institution established at this place has been opened with suitable ceremonies. On Wednes- day about 20 pupils were examined for ad- mission and there are other applications. Yes- terday an address was delivered by Governor Everett at the old church in connection with other appropriate exercises . . . Sept. 13, 1839 Normal Sch ool In explanation of the total absence of parade and show ac- companying the exercises at the opening of this school last week, it is proper for us to say that such was the express wish of the Board of Visitors under whose directions the affair was managed. They are desirous of avoiding the semblance of superfluous ceremony and de- clining proffer of even a parade of music by which to marshall a procession to the church. It was perhaps well that such an institution as this — so experimental in its nature, and so de- pendent for success upon the favorable regard of public — should commence with as little pomp as was compatible with the assembling of people to hear its nature and object explained. This could not have been entrusted to better hands than those of Gov. Everett . . . SITS Ol? BARRE STATE NORAIAL SCHOOL SEPT. 4 1539 — NOV. L54i RJrBSTABLLSHBD AX WBSTFIBLD SB! 5 ! . 4 UU4. PRESENTED BY

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RESOLVES OF MASSACHUSETTS CHAPT. LXX Resolves relative to qualifying Teachers for Common Schools April 19, 1838 Whereas by a letter from the Honorable Horace Mann, Secretary of the Board of Education, addressed, on the twelfth of March current, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, it appears, that pri- vate munificence has placed at his disposal the sum of ten thousand dollars to promote the cause of popular education in Massachusetts, on condition that the Commonwealth will contribute, from unappropriated funds, the same amount in aid of the same cause ; the two sums to be drawn upon equally, from time to time, as needed, and to be distributed under the direction of the Board of Education in qualifying teachers for the common schools; therefore, Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor is hereby authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the Council, to draw his warrant upon the Treasurer of the Commonwealth, in favor of the Board of Education, for the sum of ten thous- and dollars, in such installments and at such times as said Board may request; provided, that said Board, in their re- quest, shall certify, that the Secretary of said Board has placed at their disposal an amount equal to that for which such ap- plication may be made by them; both sums to be expended, under the direction of said Board, in qualifying teachers for the common schools in Massachusetts. Resolved, That the Board of Education shall render an an- nual account of the manner in which said moneys have been by them expended.

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The re-opening at Westfield Emerson Davis, clergyman, citizen of Westfield Principal 1844-1846 Horace Mann Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education 1837-1848 William G. Bates, attorney, citizen of Westfield FIRST COEDUCA STATE NO ; AL TIONAL vCH-OOL SllK 1ERIC 1 i- ' A R I.EADEI ANN V i T U nd WILL F WESTF {SHIP OF EDUCATOR IAM G, BATES ELD js mb jsn iwHtf% m $$ x3$ ISETTS 1839 LD 1844 1 you have u inanity race Mann l) BY VI. SOCIETY COLLEGE A, THIS IABI.H PRESKNTE WESTE RN HAMPDKN HISTORIC