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This map was used to represent the early residents and businesses of the era. |
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There are no known photographs of the original Seminary building. Photography was in its infancy when the school was built. This is a rendering of the building taken from an original drawing belonging to Lawton Cummings, foreman on the construction of the 1st Seminary building. “The main Building, including the wings—all four stories high—is 100 feet in length—all of brick—and surmounted with a commodious Observatory and glittering spire. The building will fully accommodate over 150 students.” From the Mansfield Express, December 1856. |
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The Grand Jubilee poster is most likely the only piece of ephemera that has survived the Seminary fire of April 22nd, 1857, with the exception of a few billing records. The Jubilee was held to celebrate the successful completion of the first semester of school. Three hundred and fifty tickets were sold at 50 cents each. Funds were to be used to “purchase of Chemical and Philosophical Apparatus for the Institution.” |
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Through monumental efforts and extreme financial hardships the Second Seminary Building rose from the ashes of April 22, 1857 to open its doors on November 23, 1859 to some 30 eager students. “The extreme length of the building is one hundred and fifty- one feet, and its extreme width fifty-three feet. The central portion is fifty-one feet square: and four full stories in height, besides the attic. The wings are each fifty feet long and forty-seven feet wide, and three stories in height.” Quoted from S.B. Elliott address on the opening of the new building, Oct. 1859. |
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“A valuable custom has been established in this school, in accordance with which, each successive graduating class has presented to its Alma Mater a frame containing the photographs of the individual members. The custom has been faithfully observed, and today, from the walls of Alumni Hall, look down hundreds who completed the two-years’ course and went out of these halls to lives of usefulness and distinction. The series furnishes a complete exposition of the art of photography in its historic development during the last three decades. The earliest of these groups is that presented by the class of ’66.” The class was also the first one graduated by the institution, after its organization as a State Normal School. This article was published in the Normal School Quarterly, fall 1898. At the top of the group is Hannah I. Dartt. Continuing down the line are
Mary J. Briggs, Sarah A. Woodruff, James H. Bosard, and Sarah J. Shove. |
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This is one of the earliest photos of downtown Mansfield. It shows the northwest side of Main Street from Center Street. The brick building, owned by Dr. C.V. Elliott, is believed to be the first brick store in the county. Dr. Elliott was one of the founders of the Classical Seminary. |
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This is probably the first faculty group photo for the years 1867/68. In the center is Principal Fordyce A.Allen, Professor of Mental Philosophy and Theory and Practice of teaching. J.T. Streit, A.M. Professor of Latin and Greek and Charles H. Verrill, A.M., Professor of Mathematics, are at the top left to right. The first young lady center right is Miss Susanna E. Conard, B.E., Mathematics and reading. The second lady is Miss Mary J. Briggs, B.E. Principal of the Model School. The three remaining photos are still unidentified. |