This single page leaflet marks the transition between the Normal and Model Schools in Trenton and the modern institution known as The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Aside from celebrating "Alumni Week-End" (the equivalent to today's homecoming, though held in the Spring), the celebrations marked the schools' 76th anniversary and the cornerstone-laying for the first building at Hillwood Lakes, Green Hall. No transcription.
New Jersey State Teachers College at TrentonLittle context is known about this certificate for stock in the "Trenton State Normal Student and Alumni Camping Association," which was presumably a group formed to arrange camping excursions among the Normal School's past and present students. This share was issued to Margaret Freas, Normal Class of 1925, and is signed by Ruth Cornelison and Don C. Bliss. No transcription.
This program booklet dates from the cornerstone laying of the Hillwood Lakes campus's first building, Green Hall. This event marked a transition point for the college away from the city of Trenton, and several notables were invited to attend. No transcription.
New Jersey State Normal School (Trenton, N.J.)Myers complains about attempts to rename Trenton State College, copying Trenton Mayor Arthur Holland and others. Holland's reply, a boilerplate "thank you," is included but was not scanned.
Myers, Iona J. Fackler, 1914-1996Green discusses the school's inability to have an Arts and Crafts exhibit but mentions that the Trenton Art School recently had one. He also mentions that he recently received “five very beautiful color sketches from the Tiffany studios” as representatives of the craft to show to his students.
Green, James M., 1851-1920This collection of four receipts for tuition, room, and board at the Model School gives insight into how much it cost to attend the de facto elite institution. The first two vouchers, made out to a John McCormick and from around 1862, show that the Normal School charged about $8.00 in tuition in its first decades. According to census statistics, an average New Jersey laborer spent about $2.50 per week on bread, so this was not an unsubstantial amount of money!
Forty years later, in 1902-1903, George Hildebrecht (owner of Trenton's Hotel Hildebrecht) paid $10.50 for per quarter for his son Albert. At this time, based on census statistics, this would have equaled about half a day's wages for the average Trenton industrial laborer.
No transcriptions, as the documents are largely typed.
New Jersey State Normal School (Trenton, N.J.)This brochure offers insight into the Normal and Model Schools' course offerings, their tuition and expenses rates, and some of the principles underlying the school's education. The gender division of the Model School (but not the Normal School) is of particular note, as is the significantly higher annual tuition for the Model School. No transcription.
New Jersey State Normal School (Trenton, N.J.)Pollack discusses books needed for Normal School students studying "exceptional children," then the terminology to refer to youths with physical and intellectual disabilities.
One letter, regarding books of interest to Dynes. She reports that her students “enthuse over the courteous and helpful treatment they receive” from the library staff.
Transcription:
605 Monmouth St.
Trenton N.J. Feb. 8 1904
Mr. Adam J. Strohm, Librarian
of Trenton Free Public Library
Dear Sir:
Your favor of February fifth just received. I am very greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to secure the books recommended. You are quite right in regard to [George] Kitchin. It was his “History of France” [https://archive.org/details/historyoffrance02kitc] that I suggested. With this I inclose card as suggested with correct title, but am not sure whether the author’s initials are H.M. or or [sic] not. I am familiar with H. Morse Stephens’s The French Revolution [https://archive.org/details/cu31924024309480] and his Orators of the Revolution [https://archive.org/details/principalspeeche02stepuoft], and I imagine that he is the author of the work on the card [no longer extant] but cannot remember.
May I take this opportunity of expressing my very great appreciation of the work being done by you, and your corps of assistants? I cannot express in words how much the library has increased the value of the work I am trying to do, and added to the material aid is the object lesson daily shown in courtesy and sympathetic assistance to young people who are very crude and often trying. I am constantly hearing students enthuse over the courteous and helpful treatment they receive. It is certainly most gratifying to have the library so efficiently managed and we are anxious to show our appreciation of the work.
Respectfully yours,
Sarah A. Dynes
Dept. of History State Normal
The majority of the materials are related to Haskell’s education from primary through graduate school, with additional items from her early career and retirement. The Correspondence Series contains her first teaching recommendation letter in 1915, a teaching appointment notice, and a few personal letters ending in 1954. The Grade Cards and Transcripts Series span her eighth grade year in 1909 through a master’s degree program in 1938. The Ephemera Series comprises dinner and event programs she attended in her early career from 1923-1939. The Clippings Series (1937-1955) cover a variety of topics, as well as coverage of the 1955 Trenton State College centennial. The Prints Series includes four etchings or reproductions of St. Petersburg Florida churches inscribed: “for Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wilhelm” by Will Kay Hagerman (Kent Hagerman). The Certificates and Diplomas Series span from her primary school years in 1904 through 1946. They include, among other items, her Normal School diploma and bachelor’s degree, as well as membership certificates to honorary sororities, Red Cross volunteer service, and her marriage certificate to Josiah Haskell.
Haskell, Lulu Clough, 1895-1970