From Seminary to
Normal School

In the beginning, 

      The July 12, 1870, bill included several limitations, including the institution of seven trustees to oversee the school's operation and the stipulation that the state would not provide any funds to the school. It was decided that the different towns in New Hampshire would bid to place the school where they wanted it. Henry Blair, a New Hampshire state Senator, put his own reputation on the line for this school. Blair loved public education as he had once been a teacher. Beyond having helped in the founding of Plymouth Normal School, Blair was best known for proposing the Blair Education Bill as a senator later in his career in an effort to provide national funding toward schools, particularly those in the South that were known for having less funding. Blair was from Campton, New Hampshire, and likely championed a school in Plymouth, as that was where his wife was from. He was able to garner donations from the railroad that believed more people would ride on it if the school were established there. 

       For 10 years prior,  improving public school education has been an important concern in the community. The issue has attracted attention from many prominent figures who debated ways to enhance learning and resources for students. Among them, Mr. Hiram Orcutt of Lebanon, New Hampshire, has stood out for his active involvement, consistently advocating for reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening the quality of education in public schools. Plymouth became the new school's home after acquiring the vacant Holmes Plymouth Academy building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Conditions in the school 

       In 1876, a few years after the school was established, they were still facing various issues. One of such issues was the fact that the sole lead water pipe they had to bring water into the school would freeze during the cold months of winter. This would lead to a long period without water, but so far the staff and students managed to get by. The basement also contained two furnaces, however one broke sometime in the past and the other never worked in the first place. Another issue that was planned to be addressed along with the pipe was the entrance into the ladies' closet(Bathroom) which was easily viewable if the opposite sex was curious enough. An architect was scheduled to arrive at some point in the future to start the necessary proceedings to fix the issues.

      While many issues were prevalent, there were also positives that people were able to look forward to while residing at the school. One such case was a small library which contained over 500 volumes of text.The basement stoves didn’t work, but there were still heaters which were in every room so individuals wouldn’t freeze. Also within the recitation room(Classroom) there was an apparatus(Teaching Tool) which was in good condition to the point the committee took notice of it. The building was slowly being modified for teaching and while it needed work, progress was still being made and students were still being taught.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Growth During the Era of Plymouth Normal School (1871–1939)

    The Plymouth Normal School, established on March 15, 1871, marked the beginning of a transformative era in teacher education in New Hampshire. From its founding, the institution was dedicated to preparing educators, shaping both the local community and the broader field of public education. Over the next several decades, Plymouth Normal School experienced steady development in its academic programs, facilities, and student life, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become Plymouth State University.

Campus Expansion and Development

   The campus underwent significant physical growth during the era of the Normal School. In 1891, Rounds Hall was constructed to replace the original Normal School building, becoming a central academic hub that still stands today. Later, between 1913 and 1916, Mary Lyon Hall was built, adding modern dormitory and classroom space to accommodate the school’s expanding enrollment. The physical landscape of the campus continued to evolve, the Russell House was purchased in 1925, and the Congregational Church in front of Mary Lyon Hall was later bought and demolished, transforming the area into a landscaped lawn similar to how it appears today.

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Student Life

    According to the 1913–1914 Plymouth State Academic Catalog, students did not pay tuition, but they were required to sign a contract obligating them to teach in New Hampshire for at least two years after graduation. Violating this agreement carried a $100 fine and the revocation of both their diploma and state certification. Although students did not have to pay tuition, they did have to pay for housing, room costs were $162 for a double room and $10–$20 more for a single room.

Academic Growth and New Programs
   During the late 1920s, Plymouth Normal School made major strides academically. In 1928, degrees were sanctioned in the Commercial Department, followed by the History Curriculum in 1929, reflecting the institution’s shift toward a broader liberal arts foundation. Enrollment increased rapidly between 1929 and 1933, prompting the need for additional facilities. A new dormitory wing was built in 1931, and around the same time, the oldest house on campus was torn down to make way for the Samuel Reed Hall Dormitory. This building honored Samuel Reed Hall, an early principal of Holmes Plymouth Academy, who introduced the concept of training teachers. By the late 1930s, Plymouth Normal School had evolved well beyond its original role as a teacher-training institution. In 1939, the New Hampshire legislature officially authorized the granting of degrees in Education, leading to a name change to Plymouth Teachers College. This transition symbolized the school’s growing academic maturity and its importance within the state’s education system.

 

Bibliography: 

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. “Henry W. Blair.” Accessed October 8, 2025. https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/b000524.

• Mullavey, Frances Burns. Oral History Interview with Mrs. Frances Burns Mullavey (on School Conditions). Plymouth State Historical Collection, Lamson Library, Plymouth State University. Accessed October 8, 2025. [link as given].

• U.S. Congress. Special Committee Report Describing Normal Schools. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/10018485.

• “Henry William Blair.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed October 8, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-William-Blair.

• New Hampshire, Commissioner on Normal Schools. Report of the Commissioner on a State Normal School. Concord: G. E. Jenks, printer, 1867. Digitized at Library of Congress.

• Plymouth State Academic Catalog, 1877–1878. Plymouth, N.H.: Plymouth State (Normal) School. Accessed via Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/plymouthstateaca187778plym/page/n1/mode/2up.

• Photograph of the Normal School. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/det.4a18379.

• Brown, Twenty Decades in Plymouth. (Place of publication: Publisher, year). Accessed via         HathiTrust.                        https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89067936658&seq=141&q1=%22normal+school%22.

• Plymouth State Academic Catalog, 1913–1914. Plymouth, N.H.: Plymouth State (Normal) School. Accessed via Internet          Archive. https://archive.org/details/plymouthstateaca191314plym/page/n5/mode/1up.