Illinois State University History Video Series

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  Defending the Grandest Enterprise: 1868-1876

  Illinois State University, Instructional Technology Services

  Summary:

  ISNU’s 1,333 students makes it the largest normal school in the country – prominent alumni include Lyman Kellogg, John W. Cook, and Sarah Raymond – Edwards implements 21 required general education courses to supplement teacher training curriculum – profile of “demanding and Spartan” student life – establishment of ISNU’s two literary societies, Wrightonian and Philadelphian – Edwards begin campaign for free, tax-supported schooling in Illinois – Edwards resigns, Board of Education appoints ISNU faculty member Edwin C. Hewett as 3^rd president.

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  The Challenges of Change: 1867

  Illinois State University, Instructional Technology Services

  Summary: Jesse Fell completes his landscaping plans for ISNU – Normal chartered as a dry town – hire of John Wesley Powell as faculty member and curator – Powell convinces legislature to appropriate funds for creation of Illinois Museum of Natural History housed at ISNU – Powell makes specimen-gathering expedition to the west – Edwards unsuccessfully lobbies state for funds for new dormitory, gymnasium, and repairs to Old Main – faculty petition for salary increases – enrollment of Topsy, the first Black student at ISNU’s model school – media attention from Chicago generates controversy – Board of Education affirms commitment to unsegregated education at Illinois public universities – model school loses funding from town of Normal, is forced to charge tuition.

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  A New Era at Normal: 1862-1866

  Illinois State University, Instructional Technology Service

  Summary: Richard Edwards appointed principal of ISNU – Edwards hires Thomas Metcalf, Albert Stetson, and Margaret Osband – two Hovey hires, Edwin C. Hewett and Joseph Sewell, remain – model school run by Charles Childs and Livonia Ketcham – by 1862, model school has 226 pupils and university has 205 students – three women students raise funds to build 2-mile plank walkway from Bloomington to Old Main – strict code of conduct for students – memorial held at ISNU following assassination of President Lincoln – Jesse Fell campaigns for Bloomington to become site of new industrial university – bid won by Urbana, laying foundation for modern-day University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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  The Noblest Building/Go Forth to Danger: 1860-1862

  Illinois State University, Instructional Technology Services

  Summary:

  Completion of Old Main – advent of Civil War – five students volunteer to fight – to prevent more attrition, Hovey hires a drillmaster to keep students in school while training for military service – Hovey and Fell travel to Washington, D.C., are caught up in fighting near Bull Run – Hovey enlists as a colonel – 33^rd Illinois Infantry Regiment (“Teacher’s Regiment”) raised with Hovey commanding – 46 soldiers are ISNU students – only 80 students remain at Normal – Perkins Bass serves as temporary principal of ISNU.

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  The Founding: 1857-1860

  Illinois State University, Instructional Technology Services

  Summary: The young state of Illinois faces a need for practical, universal schooling – establishment of Illinois State Teachers Association in Bloomington – Association drafts Normal School Bill for creation of state-funded teacher training institution – bill is signed into law by Governor Bissell – Jesse Fell schemes to outbid Peoria – the contract for the new school is awarded to North Bloomington – Abraham Lincoln draws up the bond – Association selects Charles Hovey as Illinois State Normal University’s first “principal” – cornerstone and time capsule laid for Old Main building – university opens on the 3^rd floor of Major’s Hall in Bloomington – construction of Old Main halted for two years due to Panic of 1857 – graduation of first cohort in 1860.