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Thencanic-NDS Entertainment invitation, 16 May 1887 · Item · 1887
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

This card was likely sent to the Thencanic Society from the Normal Debating Society (NDS). It invites the Model School students to "an entertainment" that the NDS was hosting in the "Model Chapel." No other information available. No transcript due to this item's brevity.

unknown
Thencanic-Mu Alpha (Peddie Institute) Debate booklet, 15 January ca. 1900-1904 · Item · ca. 1900-1904
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

This booklet came from the third annual debate between the Thencanic Society and Mu Alpha, the debate society at the Peddie Institute (today the Peddie School) of Hightstown, New Jersey. Though it does not include the year, it is most likely dated to around 1900-1904 given the presence of Kenneth H. Lanning (Model Class of 1904). In addition to several musical pieces by the State Schools Orchestra, the event featured a debate on restricting immigration into the United States. No transcription, as the booklet is typed.

unknown
Thencanic apology from N.D.S., n.d. (ca. 1890s?) · Item · ca. 1890s
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

A brief letter from an unidentified student of the Normal Debating Society, apologizing for some interpersonal difficulty with the Thencanic. The exact situation remains unclear but may relate to the matter with "Mr. Ivins" (see related materials). Transcription included.

unknown
Thencanic Society-NDS Debate Resolutions/Reports, February - December 1884 · Item · 1884
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

This series of three resolutions/letters documents two private debates and one public one between the Thencanic and the Normal Debating Society. The resolutions do not include the topics for debate, nor the names of the debaters. The identities of the Normal School students cannot be conclusively determined. Transcriptions included.

Whitehead, Harvey F., 1867-1947
Thencanic Society debate resolution, 07 June 1900 · Item · 1900
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

This report concerns some friction between the Thencanic Society and Normal Debating Society (NDS), regarding one of the Thencanic's members. The NDS, on the day of the scheduled debate, refused to participate if one Mr. Ivins (probably Haddon Ivins) was included; the Thencanic defends him in response. Transcription included.

unknown
Thencanic Oration on "The Negro Since the Civil War," n.d. (ca. 1900) · Item · ca. 1900
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

Content warning: This document perpetuates racist and discriminatory tropes about African Americans.
This unsigned, undated oration offers one look into how youths from of some of Trenton's elite families viewed Black Americans. While the author takes what might have been a "progressive" stance for the 19th century, he nevertheless shows from the very first sentence his reliance on all-too-common stereotypes. For instance, he asserts that Black people are best suited for jobs requiring "strength and a moderate share of intelligence." Nevertheless, the author opposes the idea that Black men commit a disproportionate amount of sexual violence and urges that America must make them full citizens lest an oligarchy emerge in the South. Transcription included.

unknown
Thencanic Oration "The Progress of the World," 31 March 1899 · Item · 1899
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

Content warning: This document contains 19th century Western ideas about "civilized" and "uncivilized" peoples.
This unsigned oration from the eve of the 19th century gives some insight into the immense changes that occurred during those hundred years. The Thencanic student provides his take on world history, viewing it through the lens of "progress" for society and particularly technology. Transcription included.

unknown
Swarthmore-Normal School debate booklet, 1918 · Item · 1918
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

This small booklet likely comes from the same unknown "black paper backing" scrapbook as several other documents from around 1918. It details the fifth annual debate between several debating societies of the New Jersey State Normal School and several from Pennsylvania's Swarthmore College. The topic for the debate, which took place amid American intervention in the First World War, regards whether colleges should substitute military training for athletics during the war. No transcription.

unknown

This "booklet" features a sheet-metal front cover, something that likely would not exist following the attack on Pearl Harbor later in 1941 and the beginning of wartime rationing. Like other documents of this type, it includes names of organizers and participating students, as well as spaces to write the names of dancing partners. This student danced with "Ren," "Mike Grayson," "Ruth Kane," "John Thomas," "Jay and Don Robinson," and "George and Rosa." These names are likely similar to the ones in the booklet from the previous year's Junior Prom. No transcription.

unknown