Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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1926 YEAR BOOK 1926 HISTORY OF OUR SCHOOL The State Normal School at Salem was established in consequence of the re- moval of the Normal School, originally located at Lexington, first to West Newton and afterwards to Framingham, thus carrying it farther away from this part of Massachusetts. When the removal from West Newton was in contemplation, Charles W. Upham, Mayor of Salem, offered proposals for the location of the school in Salem. Although the Board of Education accepted the terms offered by Framing- ham, it nevertheless recommended to the Legislature the establishment of two other Normal Schools, one in Berkshire County and one in Essex County. The Legisla- ture approved the resolve and appropriated 36,000 toward the erection of the school in Essex County. Salem again made overtures to the Board of Education which, after carefully examining the claims of the various towns, decided to locate the school in the VVitch City. The City of Salem furnished the site and erected a two-storied brick school- house on the corner of Summer and Broad Streets, at the cost of 310,289.30 over and above the 86.000 appropriated by the Legislature and 32,000 contributed by the Eastern Railroad Company. The following is a statement of the expenses and receipts: Receipts E.rpenses State Appropriation 36,000.00 Building 810,500.00 Eastern Railroad Contribution 2,000.00 Furniture 2,789.30 City of Salem Contribution 10,289.30 Land Value 5,000.00 818,289.30 818,289.30 On September 14, 1859, the newedifice was dedicated with appropriate exer- cises, Governor Washburn presiding, and Ex-Governor Boutwell delivering an address. The school began its career on the day previous to that of its dedication, under the charge of Richard Edwards, as principal, and one assistant teacher. Miss Martha Kingman. Candidates attended the school on this day for their examinations. Although a high school education was not required for admittance, the standards then seemed to be very high, as most of those who applied had Cl very good education. Taking in consideration the fact that education, especially for girls, was not at all the com- mon thing that it is today, the young ladies who presented themselves to the Normal School were ol' the strongest character to lie found in their day. The following quoted passage gives the conditions with which these promoters of public educa- tions had to comply in order to be admitted to the school: A young lady, to he admitted to this school, must be at least sixteen years ot' age: must declare it to he her intention to become a teacher in the Public Schools ol' Massachusetts: must promise to remain in the school for three consecutive terms, and must deposit with the Principal a certificate of good moral character from some responsible person acquainted with her. She must pass a satisfactory examination in Heading, Spelling, Defining, Writing, Arithmetic, English Grammar and Geog- raphy. Tuition was tree to all those who complied with the entrance requirements quoted above. For the assistance ol' those students who found even the moderate expenses ol' school lite burdensome, the State made an annual appropriation, one IU

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926 SALICM NORMAL SC'llOOl, 15921, .uf V -f.-.444 . --Lx . ..t,, , s,-f.. .. --Q V' ,rx .,- '4--'- -. im, . . , . n 'ZW -'., ' - -'1.:1cb'i':':.'.-7l'f : . 4 -., A V'. . -nv --he 4' ' ' :Pal wg . . - , :. '-- -v, , v - ,.'Ff.'Is, 1-X - ' ,J ' I una., F . ,,,. .,- -,, -' ' , 4, -'-,Fw 11-a:':-an-fe ., .3 sr' ' ' , . ' e 11 Ln. '15-!qgi,1':xf , A - ' ,qi 43, Us--f ' IQ- ,- --3 f - - - v '- 44 . ---'-wnjj-uw TW. ..-10 V 'S I , o.. - - ' - , V I yi. --. . 1' .. f , rv -'sig ' ' 9' ' gi L.. 1- 1':f:'A .. 1-'. f?. . , - .,.' '- ,,.., --- A , ,, . E U -4 ,- STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. SALEM. MASSACHL'SE'I'TS Oh, S. N. S.-in tribute true Our cheer for you we raise. Our souls unite. our voices blend In simple words of praise. With firm, devoted, loyal hearts Your ideals we do bless! We stop our toil and stand upright To hail you, N. SJ The Brown and Orange that ci-owxis rc Was never won by might. And everywhere. your honored name Stands strong' for truth and right. So let us gather, one and all, Your banner to caress, To show the world our faith in you. My dear old S. N. S. yur head fl. G.

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1926 SALEM NORMAL SCHOOL 1926 I half of which was distributed at the end of each semi-annual term among the needy and deserving' students. The opening' enrollment was 65 which was increased to 134 members at the beginning of the second term in February. Three members of this first class are still living, one of whom attended the triennial alumni meeting' in June, 1925. The subjects pursued du1'ing the first years were: Arithmetic, Geomet1'y, Geog- 1'aphy, Anatomy, Physiology, Spelling, Beading, Etymology, English Grammar and the Art of Reasoning, recitations in each occurring on alternate days. The ends chiefly aimed at in the school were the acquisition of necessary knowledge of the principles and methods of education and of the various b1'3l1CllC-ES of studyg the attainment of the art of teachingg and the general development of the mental powers. From 1854 until 1896 there were two enrollments of students a year, one in September, and one in Februa1'y. Diplomas were also presented twice a year. For the first three yea1's, 1854-1857, the course consisted of three half-year terms each closing with a two-day examination in the subjects studied. The course was extended from one year and a half, or three terms, to two yea1's, or four terms, in September, 1857. G1'aduates f1'om the regular course, who desired to prepare 'themselves for higher departments of teaching were pe1'mitted to take an advanced course which occupied two yea1's and included instruction and t1'aining in Latin, French and Ger- man languages, higher mathematics, and other branches required to be taught in the High Schools of Massachusetts. In 1860, du1'ing the administration of Professor Alpheus Crosby, who succeeded Mr. Edwa1'ds in 1857, the schoolhouse was enla1'ged and much improved. Daniel B. Hagan, principal from 1865-1895, made, in his report to the Board of Education in 1869, such a representation of the further wants of the school caused by the increasing number of students, that the Legislature appropriated 325,000 to p1'ovide for the still greater enlargement of the schoolhouse. After this, the enrollment increased to 258 and the course of study was gradu- ally changed, the foreign languages and higher mathematics being d1'opped to make way for subjects to be taught in the grade. Even the enlargement made in 1870 was inadequate to meet the increased de- mands made upon the school. The Legislature consequently made generous pro- visions for a new building. The result was the erection of our present building at the junction of Lafayette Street and Loring Avenue. The school was first occupied December 2, 1896. Since then there have been only two principals in this school, Dr. Walter P. Beckwith 1895-1905 and Mr. J. Asbury Pitman, who began his ad- ministration in 1906 and who is still the efficient head of the school. VVith the erection of the new building the standard of admission to the State No1'ma1 School was raised in 1896 to include high school subjects. Since that date. the admission questions have presupposed a four years' course in the high school or its equivalent. Another great event in the history of Salem Normal School occurred soon after the opening of the new building. From the establishment of the school in 185-1 until 1898 only women had the great privilege of attending it. But this state of affairs was at an end. In the report of the Board of Education for the year 1895- 1896, was the following statement: 11