New Britain herald., 1925-05-22
DEDICATION DAY AT NORMAL SCHOOL
(Cotninued from First Page)

SldlS NOTlH5l FCuool, VIZ m NE"
 Britain have come to regard 1t with
 deep feeling of local. pride. In It's associations with the events which
 stood out with the early life of New Britain. its growth, continued with
 the growth of the city and through
 the important part if has played in
 the education and cultural life Of
 this community. it has become en-
 tWined in the history of the city and its influences have been favorably
 reflected in the customs of our in-
 habitants.
 "lt is not strange then that l. as mayor of tho city of New Britain, should be pleased 10 come here to-
 day and express officially the city's congratulations 10 the institution and
 to welcome those who have come here to assist In the anniversary ob- servance.
 "Now Britain might well be called 3 proud community. yet we feel our pride is justified. We have extensive parks. well organized municipal government ministering
 to the public needs; huge stacks send curling clouds of smoke from | industrial plants located here whose products are displayed wherever commerce is known, and we have q well planned and capably adminis- tered public school system. But not
 only have We all of these things of
 which modern cities boast, but we
 arc favored and have been favored
 for three quarters of century, with
 8 state norfnaI school whose grad
 uatos have carried it's fame far be-
 yond the confines Of this city and
 state. When we consider that our
 city has attained the distinction Of
 being labelled the Hardware Center
 Of tho World4 and at the same time
 it has been the seat of this great
 institution of learning which has
 sent out into the world hundreds
 and hundreds of school teachers to
 tenderly guide the minds and bodies
 Of our children 80 they may bring
 honor %d credit to themselves, to
 their fSmiIies and their government, then we can realize how justifablc
 ls our pride in our community.
 "The principles wrich manifest themselves early in the life of person or of community are usual ly those which last longest and the roots Of which are struck deepest. New Britain at an early date showed its tendency to treasure education. While still a parish in the town of Berlin, with only 5000 inhabitants this community successfully sought establishment of state normal school here. so the public school system might be bcttered and 8 still higher institution of learning made available.
 Tt was in 1s49 that the general assembly voted to establish a state normal school. New Britain at that time had a district school system which was not entirely satisfactory and various means of improvement were suggested. The legislatures action offered a plan that sounded feasible 10 the towns early educa- tors, and they suggested erection Of the new school in New Britain. offer Ing to provide a building and library, on the condition that local schools might be taken over on the model 1 school plan and the normal school 1 principal act as supervisor. This i was accepted and in spite | Of the efforts of several other com i munities to bring the new school 1 New Britain was honored. | In 1850 the school vas built when it 1 was announced that S16.250 had l been raised by popular subscription in the town of 3,o00 population.
 "SiXty-seven pupils attended class as at the opening. Comparison of | that figure with the enrolment of . today tells the story Of the schools | growth: contrast also the modest | school building of 1850 constructed l by popular EubSCrptlon win the plant in which these exercises are being conducted, erect I'd through a state appropriation, and you will readily find the mark of appreval>et the institutions work | IS it Is impressed by the State of i 
 Tt is not my function today 10 reclte to you the history and deeds of the school. There are others to follow me and I must encroach upon the time allotted to them. And so will bring my remarks to a close, HTtendins again tb the state normal 'chool the citT's heartiest congratu- sttons, and 10 you our Tlsitors. the