Publications

18 folders (approximately 1.25 cubic feet)

This series is divided according to the publications' origins, and includes the following sub-series:
The Signal and State Signal - Includes some issues of The Signal and its successor publication the State Signal, a student publication established in 1885 that continues to be published today. The Signal began as a literary magazine created by students of both the Normal School and the Model School. In addition to poems and short stories, it reported general news about the schools (athletics, courses, cultural activities, etc.), and information about faculty, graduating
seniors and alumni as well as providing editorials. Of particular interest is the May-June 1917 issue which includes a history of (p. 193) and a farewell to (p. 195) the Model School which closed in 1917. After a lapse of 10 years, the publication returned in the fall of 1929 as a student newspaper providing full coverage of campus activities. This collection includes scattered issues of The Signal from 1885 to 1919, and some issues of the State Signal from 1933 to 1975. Issues from 1933 document the school’s move from Trenton to the new Hillwood Lakes campus (Ewing), and the 1955 issue documents the centennial celebration of the Normal School.

Student Handbooks - The Student Handbook (1938-1939; 1939-1940) was published by the Student Executive Board and provides information about academics, social groups, athletics, and general policies. A Hand Book for the Women’s Athletic Association (1939-1940) provides information about women’s intramural and school sports activities.

Bonner Scholar Publications - There are a few issues of a publication from TCNJ’s Bonner Scholars. The Wall (2017-2018), which became Street Light (2018, 2023), features stories about homelessness in Trenton.

Miscellaneous Student publications - This sub-series includes a booklet of two plays written in 1921 by the Normal School’s History and English classes; a 1942 satirical student newspaper; a 1960 literary magazine and a photographic essay about Front & Warren Streets in Trenton (ca. 2000s).

Miscellaneous Faculty Writings - Included is Geography of New Jersey, by State Teachers College President Roscoe L. West and former Head of Geography Department, Ella Huntington, 1938, and two papers on women in politics given by Trenton State College faculty members Allen H. Merriam (Indira Gandhi: Prime Minister) and Marian B. McLeod (Bernadette Devlin: Irish Political Heroine) as part of a conference titled Women in Politics: Studies in Role and Status, 1974.

Outside Publications – This includes a variety of booklets and pamphlets and press clippings written by sources outside the school that discuss aspects of the institution. Of particular interest are issues of the Education Bulletin published by the New Jersey State Board of Education, 1915-1919, 1948 and Curricula and Entrance Requirements of the State Teachers Colleges and State Normal Schools, 1929, published by the State Department of Public Instruction.

Digitized copies of The Signal may be found through the TCNJ Digital Repository: https://dr.tcnj.edu/handle/2900/275

Roscoe West's master's thesis, an examination of Trenton schools entitled "Age-Grade Study, Trenton, N. J." (1923), is available in Trentoniana's Board of Education Collection.