Winona County, Minnesota
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL OF MINNESOTA, AT
WINONA
Pages 383-399From the book
"History of Wabasha County"
Published in 1884
Concerning Wabasha and Winona Counties in Minnesota
Near the close of the session of the first legislature of the state, August 2, 1858, an act was passed providing for the establishment of three state normal schools. This legislation was suggested by Dr. John D. Ford, of Winona, and secured by his untiring efforts through the legislature delegation from Winona county, Lieut.-Gov. Wm Holcombe, of Stillwater, gave the measure his earnest and cordial support, and became the first president of the state normal board of instruction. This board, consisting of Lieut.-Gov. Holcombe, Dr. A. E. Ames, Dr. E. Bray, of Carver, and Dr. J. D. Ford, of Winona, held their first meeting at the Capitol at St. Paul, August 16, 1859. After receiving and considering an application from the city of Winona, accompanied by a subscription of $7,000 ~ $2,000 in excess of the amount required by the act ~ the following resolution was offered by Dr. Ford, and passed unanimously:
And thus was located at Winona the first state normal school of Minnesota, and at that time the only state normal school west of the Mississippi.
The following named citizens of Winona were appointed as the first prudential committee: Sylvester J. Smith, Dr. J. D. Ford, Rev. D. Burt and Wm. S. Drew.
The second meeting of the board was held at Winona, November 9, 1859, at which meeting block 17, Sanborn's addition, was, after considerable deliberation, selected as a suitable site for the proposed school, the board wisely preferring a central location, in order that a model department might be maintained in connection with the normal school. On the evening of November 9, Lieut.-Gov. Holcombe, president of the board, delivered in the Baptist church an address on the subject of "Education with reference to the establishment of the first normal school of Minnesota." This address, which appears in full in the printed report of the board for 1859, was one of great merit. It is said to have made a deep impression upon the young community, and doubtless did much to elevate, if not to create, that sentiment of earnest support of educational interests which has marked the history of this city. In the closing paragraph of this admirable address the governor said: "I have in my hand a paper which contains the origin, the source and the earnest of the first normal school of Minnesota. It had its origin here in this city, and the names written on that paper are as picture of gold, and should be handed down to future generations as evidence of their wisdom and benevolence. This paper subscribes about $7,000 to the establishment of the normal school here, the most of which, over $5,000, has been secured promptly to the state for that object. The duty I have discharged is every way an agreeable one; no circumstances could have occurred with respect to the interests of the state to afford me higher gratification than to meet you here on such an occasion as this. The city of Winona has distinguished herself in taking the lead in establishing for the benefit of the rising generation of this state (an institutions) for all who shall yet call the state their home. I think the normal schools should preced e the common schools of the county, for then we should have trained teachers to conduct them. When this school shall be in operation it may be regarded as an auspicious era, whence to date in future the origin of many blessings, and the commencement of a perpetual course of improvement and prosperity to the people at large."
In the first annual report of the normal board to the governor, Dr. J. D. Ford set forth in a clear and forcible manner the claims of the normal school to generous support, and its vital relation to the common schools of the state. In addition to other recommendations to the legislature, he urged in behalf of the normal board that "a competent superintendent of public instruction be appointed," that "a general supervision of the subjects of schools, school teaching and school lands is absolutely necessary," and that "the school lands should be put into a condition to realize the largest possible annual fund for the support of schools." To the credit of this normal board, and its able secretary Dr. Ford, it may be said that the first state tax for school purposes was authorized and levied upon their urgent recommendation.
An appropriation of $5,000 having been secured, it was decided to open the school on the first Monday in September, 1860. Prof. John Ogden, A. M., of Columbus, Ohio, was elected principal for one year at a salary of $1,400, and William Stearns, a graduate of Harvard University, was chosen tutor.
The school was opened for the admission of pupils on the first Monday of September. A teachers' institute, the first ever held in this state, was convened at the commencements of the term. Teachers from various parts of the state were present, and a number of distinguished gentlemen, including Rev. E. D. Neill, chancellor of the university, ex-officio superintendent of public instruction, Ex-Lieut. Governor Holcombe, J. W. Taylor, Esq., Rev. Mr. Strong, and many others. On the evening of the first day Prof. Ogden gave his inaugural address. On the next evening superintendent Neill delivered an eloquent address on "Education," the closing paragraph of which we cannot forbear to quote: "Twelve years ago the Winnebago nation, by a treaty stipulation, abandoned their old home in Iowa and commenced their long weary march to their new home near Sauk Rapids, in the northern part of this state. In the charming month of June, by mutual agreement, parties by land and water to the number of 2,000 arrived on this prairie. As they viewed the vast amphitheatre of lofty bluffs, the narrow lake on one side, the great river in front, they felt that it was the spot above all others for an Indian's lodge, and purchasing the privilege of Wabasha, the chief of the Dakota band that then lived here, they drew themselves up in battle array, and signified to the United States troops that they would die before they would leave.
Twelve years hence, if the citizens who have taken the place of the rude aborigines will be large-hearted and foster the normal school, the public schools and the churches of Christ, Winona will be lovelier than the "Sweet Auburn" of the poet; and educated men and cultivated women, as they gaze on your public edifices and other evidences of refinement, will be attracted, and feel that here in the spot for a home, and, like the Indians in 1848, they will desire to tarry until they die."
The donation to the board of the use of the city building (now the Winona Library building) was another evidence of the friendliness of the citizens to this struggling institution. The use of this building was continued for eight years without charge to the state.
The $7,000 subscribed by the citizens of Winona was not used for running expenses, but was reserved for the construction of the permanent building in 1867-8, at which time the subscription with its appreciated values amounted to $10,000.
The first year was one of great promise throughout. Commencement exercises were held at the Baptist church on the last week in June, 1861, continuing the entire week. Mr. Allen, of Wisconsin, a distinguished educator, Mr. Hickock, ex-superintendent of schools in Pennsylvania, Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, and Gen. C. C. Andrews made addresses. A part of the literary exercises consisted of a colloquy between Miss Charlotte Denman, Miss Thorne and others, in which was set forth, in a amusing and graphic manner, the current opinions concerning the establishment of normal schools, an exercise which will never be forgotten by those who were present.
At the session of the legislature in 1861 a special act was passed creating the first board of education of Winona. This board was to consist of one school director elected from each of the three wards, the principal and such members of the normal school ~ at Winona as shall be residents of said city and qualified. The word "board" was left out of the law between the words "school" and "at," which made a very unwieldy board, or an intangible body.
The idea was to copy somewhat after the Oswego plan of uniting the jurisdiction of the normal and public schools of Winona, using the public schools as graded and model schools. At the municipal election held in April, 1861, Messrs. Thomas Simpson, Richard Jackson and John Keyes were elected members of the board of education, from the first, second and third wards respectively; and these, with Prof. Ogden as principal of State Normal School, constituted the first board of education. Mr. Simpson was elected president, Mr. Keyes, recorder and John Ogden first superintendent of schools in city of Winona.
In the following year this law was repealed and the joint jurisdiction ceased.
The normal school opened in the fall of 1861, with an increased of students. Prof. J. G. McMynn had been engaged as assistant teacher. He remained, however, but a short time, resigning early in October, to take a position as major in a Wisconsin regiment. It may be noted that many of the students of the normal, during Prof. Ogden's principalship, entered the volunteer army in defense of the Union.
Prof. Ogden resigned the principalship of the school December 14, 1861, at the close of the first term of that year.
The following extract from his letter of resignation clearly reflects the spirit of those stirring times:
Prof. V. J. Walker, principal of the Winona high school, was placed in charge of the school temporarily, during the second term which closed March 2, 1862, and remained suspended until November 1, 1864. The reasons for this suspension of over two years may be inferred from Prof. Ogdon's letter of resignation, and may be stated as follow: (1) The interest in the great struggle then pending for national life overshadowed and overwhelmed everything else, and, as a natural corollary of this, (2) competent teachers could not be found to take charge of the school. Such men were generally in the war. (3) The means for the support of the school was inadequate. The state had made no appropriations beyond the first $5,000. The state was too busy in the war to care for its educational interests.
During the session of the legislature in the spring of 1864, at the earnest solicitation of the citizens of Winona, led by Dr. J. D. Ford, an act was passed renewing the appropriations to the school and re-establishing it on a permanent basis. This act provided that the sum of $3,000 be appropriated for the current year, $4,000 for the following year, and $5,000 annually thereafter. At the annual meeting of the normal board in the following May Prof. John G. McMynn was elected principal. No movement was, however, made to reopen the school until the next meeting in the following September, when the resignation of Prof. McMynn was accepted, and Prof. W. F. Phelps, former principal of the State Normal School of New Jersey was unanimously elected. The principal-elect, being present, accepted the position in person and immediately entered upon the duties of his office. Professor Phelps' rare ability as an organizer and disciplinarian was at once apparent in the prompt and efficient measures taken to re-establish the school on a permanent basis. To the wisdom of these measure and the executive ability of their author is largely due the high standing which the normal school at Winona has subsequently attained, and still holds, among the educational institutions of this country.
The location of the site on block 17, Sanborn's addition, was not favored by the citizens generally. At the meeting of the board held in June, 1866, the following communication was received:
This proposition was promptly accepted by the board. Subsequently the city bought the whole of block 8, Sanborn's addition, and gave it outright to the state, waiving the condition stated in the communication of the mayor.
During the session of the legislature of 1866 the first appropriation of $10,000 for the building was obtained mainly through the efforts of Hon. E. S. Youmans, then a member of the house, and Hon. Thos. Simpson in the state senate.
This appropriation was designed to secure plans and to supplement the contributions of the citizens and city of Winona, and was entirely used in constructing a foundation, ~ an important measure which committed the state fully to the erection of a building at Winona.
The plans for the building were drawn by the architect, G. P. Randall, Esq., of Chicago, and were adopted by the board at its meeting in June, 1866. On the 19th of October, 1866, the corner-stone was laid with interesting ceremonies by Gov. Marshall, in the presence of a large and deeply-interested assembly, citizens of Winona and surrounding country. Hon. Thos. Wilson, chief-justice of the supreme court of the state, delivered the address on this memorable occasion.
The foundation was erected under the direction of the credential committee, consisting of Dr. Ford, Hon. E. S. Youmans and W. S. Drew, Esq. Mr. Drew was appointed superintendent of the work, and gave it his personal and efficient supervision throughout the session of 1867, until the basement walls were completed and made ready for the superstructure.
In the spring of 1867 an appropriation by the legislature of $50,000 for building purposes was secured, largely through the influence of Hon. Wm. H. Yale, then in the state senate. Only one half of this amount was appropriated for the first year. The citizens of Winona cashed the orders of the board for the other half, making the entire sum available for immediate use.
The contract for the erection of the superstructure was made with C. Bohn, Esq., of Winona, who had already demonstrated his qualifications as a builder in the construction of the high-school building of the city. In 1869 the sum of $34,000 additional was appropriated "to complete the building," and in 1870 nearly $9,000 more was generously granted by the legislature to liquidate the balance due the contractor.
The building was occupied by the school September 1, 1869, and completed in the following December.
Minnesota State Normal School at Winona
The following description of the building is taken from the report of the normal board for 1859:
The general form of the building is in the form of a cross. The main edifice is 63 x 78 feet; the wings are each 50 x 75 feet. The basement story is 10 feet high; the first story is 13 feet; the second, 16 feet; the third, 19 feet, and the fourth story of the west wing is 28 feet to the crown of the ceiling at the base of the skylights. The southeast corner of the west wing terminates in a ventilating shaft 8 x 8 feet and 105 feet high; and the northwest corner of the east wing terminates in the main tower, 15 x 15 feet at base and 130 feet high. The building is of red bricks, with facing and trimmings of a drab-colored calciferous limestone. Its beauty is due not to superfluous ornamentation, but to the harmony of its proportions and its massiveness. Through the basement there is a corridor 10 feet wide running through the center from end to end. The first story has a main corridor 10 x 166 feet, running entirely through the building. This is intersected by cross-corridors extending from the front to the rear entrances. On the north side of the main corridor there are four large schoolrooms for the use of the model classes. On the right of the entrance of the main tower there is a reception-room 20 x 25 feet. On the opposite or south side of the main corridor the rooms above described are duplicated. Opposite the reception-room is a gentlemen's cloakroom. In the main building, in the second story, is the normal school "assembly room." Its dimensions are 63 x 78 feet. In the east wing, beginning with the main tower, we find the principal's office, the library and two large recitation-rooms. In the west wing are two large recitation-rooms, one in each corner, and two large wardrobe-rooms for ladies, each 12 x 35 feet, communicating with corridor and assembly-room. The east wing is occupied by a suite of rooms connected by open arches, designed to be used for a museum. In fourth story of the west wing there are two rooms, 39 x 35 feet each, separated by a corridor, and with ceiling extending to the crown of the roof, 23 feet in height. These rooms are lighted by skylights, and are intended for a gallery of art. The steps at each of the five entrances of the building are of massive, solid masonry, and are of easy ascent. The corridors at each extremity are entered by spacious vestibules. The stairs leading to the several stories are easy of ascent, the risers being seven inches each, and the treads, which are very wife, bing made of solid two-inch oak plank, finished in oil. The heating and ventilation of the building are upon the plan known as the Ruttan system. There are seven furnaces properly located in the basement. Underneath the furnaces the cold air from without is introduced through ducts having an area of section equal to from eight to ten square feet each.
Minnesota State Normal School
(rear view)
Space cannot be given to a further description of this beautiful structure, which is acknowledged to be, even at the date of this writing, in 1883, the most perfect building of the kind in the Northwest. The plans of this building were subsequently adopted, with little change, for the State Normal Schools at Buffalo, New York, and at Carbondale, Illinois.
It should be stated that the admirable adaptation of this building to the existing and prospective wants of the school, and its nearly faultless construction, are largely due to the experienced judgment, wise forethought and energetic management of the principal, Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, who was permitted to enjoy the fruits of his zealous labors, and to carry forward in this building his plans for the organization of a normal school of national reputation, until he voluntarily resigned this position in 1876.
The following is a summary of the contributions made by the citizens of Winona to the school and building:
| Original subscription of $7,000 to secure site, with appreciation in value | $10,000 |
| Subscription for purchase of block 4, Sanborn's addition | $ 5,000 |
| Donation by city of block 3, Sanborn's addition | $ 6,000 |
| The vacation of street and alleys | $ 2,500 |
| Cash in bonds of city | $15,000 |
| Use of city building for eight years, and furnishing expenses | $ 4,500 |
| Total contribution | $43,000 |
In addition to the above the citizens of Winona a have paid into the treasury of the school for the tuition of pupils in the model department the average sum of $1,500 annually for twenty years, amounting to about $3,000. (Note: I know this doesn't add up. I have no idea what the correct figure may be.) The present valuation of the site of the building is $25,000.
The state appropriations for building purposes at various times amount to the gross sum of $115,837.
In accordance with a plan proposed by Principal Phelps, the legislature, in 1871, passed an act establishing in Winona the State Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and providing for the education of the children in the normal school. This plan proved to be a wise and economical one for the state, and of the greatest value to the children. Nearly one hundred of the soldiers' orphans received training for several years in the model and normal departments. A number completed the entire course, and are now filling important positions in the schools of the state. The growth of the school in numbers, in reputation, and in all the characteristics of an excellent training school for teachers, continued without marked interruption until the legislature in 1876, partly by design and partly by neglect, failed to make the usual annual appropriation for the support of the three normal schools of the state.
The normal board was called in extra session. During that meeting several propositions to close the schools at once were voted down by a bare majority. The opposition to these propositions was led by Hon. Thos. Simpson, the resident director at Winona.
Finally the board took action, which was intended merely to give the normal schools a chance for continuance if they could find any means of existing without involving the board or incurring a debt. It was really a life and death struggle with the normal schools of our state. Had they been closed then, they would have remained closed, perhaps for ever.
The action of the board availed little; it said, "Live if you can, but don't involve us." Liberal-hearted citizens of this city offered to advance money to carry on the school at Winona, but this could not be accepted under the action of the board. Gen. Sibley, the president of the board, and Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, the principal at Winona, resigned.
The resident director determined that the school should not go down. He made a temporary reduction of the teaching force, some abatements of salaries, and some extra charges for tuition. He appealed to the soldiers' orphans' board, who generously responded by paying tuition for the pupils under their care. By these means, supplemented by a cash contribution from his own pocket, the school was kept in vigorous operation until the following year, when the appropriation was not only restored, but was made permanent. The action at Winona had much to do with inspiring a like spirit and determination on the part of the local management of the schools at Mankato and St. Cloud.
Prof. Charles A. Morey, a member of the faculty and a former graduate of the school, was elected principal.
The following year saw the school restored to its former condition of efficiency. In 1878 Principal Morey inaugurated an important change in the organization of the school by extending the elementary course, and establishing an advanced four years' course of study designed to prepare teachers for the principalship of high and graded schools.
In May, 1879, Principal Morey resigned his position to enter upon the practice of law. On the 27th of June Prof. Irwin Sheperd, superintendent of the city schools of Winona, was elected principal; since which time the growth of the school in numbers, in efficiency, and in the confidence of the citizens of the state, has, we believe, continued without interruption.
The following shows the increase of attendance during the past four years: 1878-79, 302; 1879-80, 342; 1880-81, 388; 1881-82, 439; 1882-83, 485.
Hon. Thos. Simpson, the present resident director, has been a member of the state normal board continuously since 1868, and has served as president of the state board and resident director at Winona during most of that time.
The first state teachers' institute, in 1859, the first state convention of county superintendents, in 1866, and the first institute of normal instructors, in 1872, were all held at the Winona normal school.
The first class which finished the course of this school numbered sixteen members and were graduated June 28, 1866. Since that date to June 1, 1883, twenty-five classes numbering 480 members have graduated, while nearly 3,000 other students have received instruction for one or more terms. These students, as well as the graduates, have fulfilled their pledges to the state with singular fidelity and success. Many of the graduates have been called to important and lucrative positions in other states from California to Maine. Several have received appointments to leading positions in the normal schools of the Argentine Republic, S. A., at salaries ranging from $1,200 to $2,500.
Prominent among the causes which have contributed to place the State Normal School at Winona in the foremost rank of similar institutions in America should be mentioned the liberal enterprise and singular devotion to its interests on the part of the citizens of Winona, as shown by their munificent donations of lands and money, by their loyal and unwavering championship in the trying times of legislative inaction and indifference; by their establishment of an extensive museum and gallery of art for the free use of the students; by their continued patronage and support of the model school, and by their just and generous pride in the past history, the present prosperity and the future promise of this educational institution of the state.
On May 24, 1871, a preliminary meeting was held in Normal Hall for the purpose of organizing a society for the promotion of a knowledge of art, science and literature.
At an adjourned meeting held June 12, articles of association were adopted. The corporate members were Wm. F. Phelps, Thos. Simpson, Abner Lewis, Mary V. Lee, C. C. Curtiss, O. B. Gould, Sarah L. Wheeler and C. H. Berry. The plans of the society provided for "the fitting of rooms in the First State Normal building for a museum of natural history and physical science, and for a department of drawing and the arts of design; the collection, classification and arrangement of specimens in natural history and archaeology, and of models in physics and the fine arts; the collection of facts and objects pertaining to local or general history; the establishment and support, on the grounds of the normal school, of a botanical garden; the arrangement and ornamentation of the grounds; the gathering of a library of standard works in all departments of science, literature and art; the collection and preservation of all collections, and, by lectures and other appropriate means, the elevation of the public taste."
Previous to the organization of this society, citizens of Winona had placed in the normal school building, for the use of the students, private collections of minerals and other specimens. Principal Phelps had contributed a valuable collection, and the Hon. Thos. Simpson had donated his entire cabinet of mineral specimens, which he had been gathering for many years in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The proprietorship of these collections was vested in the new society. The collections were increased from time to time by additional contributions.
In 1875 the citizens of Winona, at the advice and solicitation of Professor Wm. F. Phelps, contributed about $3,500 for the purchase of the Woodman collection of corals, shells, minerals, and fossils. This valuable collection, and those previously belonging to the society, were arranged in suitable cases in the geological hall of the normal building in 1878, under the superintendency of Principal Chas. A. Morey. The following contract was subsequently made with the state normal board:
This museum has become one of the most extensive and complete in the west. Three large rooms, connected by arches, are lined with cases which are filled with specimens of minerals, fossils, birds and animals. A large case in the center of the room contains the skeleton of a mastodon. Two spacious rooms in the fourth story of the building are devoted to the exhibition of art subjects. A curator devotes a large portion of his time to the care of the museum and to the collection, classification and arrangement of specimens in all departments of natural history.
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