New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-19
NORMAL SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED
STATES.


Normal Schools are special seminaries for the
instruction and practice of school teachers in the
science of education, and in the art Of teaching
and governing. That such Institutions are re-
quired in order to complete State system OF
public instruction must be manifest to every in
teigent citizen. And it is surprising that al
though nearly every State in the Union has es.
tablished free schools, only very few of them
have provided for the proper education Of teach-
ers. In this respect we are surpassed BY sew
eral European nations, in which public schools
are established and supported BY law, and where
normal schools form prominent parts of their
respective systems. The following account pre-
sents the history and condition of the principal
American institutions Of this character. They
are oil organized and conducted upon nearly the
same plan; in each tuition is free, based upon
the pupils declaration Of an intention to pursue
the business Of teaching. Nearly all Of them have
schools of practice attached.
In Massachusetts,, in the winter Of l524-5, a
series of articles in The Boston Patriot written
by the Hon. James G. Carter Of Lancaster, first
called public attention in that State to the ne
cestity and advantages Of q proposed normal
school, which were favorably received by the
public ami noticed by the press. In 1927, Mr..
Carter presented to the Legislature memorial
for aid ia the establishment Of such q seminary
with model school attached; the subject was
fayorably reported On by a committee, and bill
making an appropriation was lost by one vote in
the Senate. The American Institute Of In
structon' was founded in 1880, and in 1887 its
Board of Directors memorialized the Legislature
on the subject. The State Board of Education"
was established by an act of 1887, and its action,
with the labors Of its Secretary, Mr.. Horace
Mann resulted in the opening of two Of these
much-desred schools in the summer Of 1889. A
third was founded at Bridgewater in 1910, and a
fourth was erected this year at Salem. We shall
now present state nent Of these schools sew
orally.
The Normal School at FramiOgham (for female
teachers only was originally located at Lexing-
ton, and opened for pupils July 3, 1889, with
means granted by the Legislature, aided by the
libsrality of Edmund Dwight. Having outgrown
its limited accommodations at Lexington, it was
removed to West Newton in September, 1914.
Tie Legislature, by an act of April 10, 1852, sp-
propriated sc, 900 toward providing more CON-
modious site and building; and Commissioners
having been appointed they selected from M.
merous offers the proposals made by the town Of
birmingham and its citizens. The new edifce
was opened December Is, 1853, with suitable
exercises, and an address by George B. Emerson.
1t is in the Norman style Of architecture, 60 feet
square, two stories high, with an entrance arcade
of the same hight, and cost $4,000, with re-
quirement Of $3.50 more for completion. 1t is
situated few rods south of the central village Of
the town, on the slope of hill of gentle declvlty,
protected on the north BY grove Of fores. trees,
and commanding an extensive and beautiful view
of the surrounding country. Whole number Of
pupils from 1889 to 1854, 5l3i and of graduates,
59s. Succession of Principals the Rev. Cyrus
Pierce, A. NJ, appointed July, 1889; the Rev.
Samuel J. May, A. NJ, Auguit 1912; the Rev.
c. Pierce, A. NJ, September, 1874; and the Rev.
Eben S. stearns, A. NJ, appointed May, 1919,
and present incumbent. For the last three years
this school has graduated an advanced class" of
pupils, who had completed full term Of three
years of study and training with special refer
eDce to the wants of the High Schools.
The Normal School at Westfeld for both sexes)
wss originally opened at Barre, Sept 4, 1889, IN
der the care Of Prof Samuel z. Newman, as Prn-
cipsl; snd was continued at that place until Nov.
le4l, when upon his death it was Suspended for
nearly three years. 1t was recommended at
Wesifeld, Sept. 4, 1914, with the Rev. Emerson
Davis, D. D., Principal, and remained under his
care for two years. On Sept. 3, 1916, the pres.
ent beautiful edifce was dedicated. and David
5. Rewe indicted Principal, who has lately
been succeeded by W. H. Wells Since its first
establishment about $50 (males and females) have
been members of the School. 1t has library
Of 800 volumes, chiefly text books and works
on education; also, well selected apparatus.
The Normal School at Bridgewater (for both
sexes was commenced Sept. 9, 1910; and the
whole number Of pupils from that date till Nov.
:, 1853, was $500 males and 494 femsle.-and
OF these, 534 were regularly graduated. NJ.
n. Iillinshast was its Principal from its opening
to June 1853, and was succeeded by Marshal Co.
raDt, the present incumbent.
The Legislative resolve of April l6, 1853. su.
thorized new State Normal School in Essex
county and the Commissioners having considered
various proposals, fixed its site at Salem. The
edifce was dedicated on the 2Ist of last month.
IL Is well adapted to its purpose is built of brick