Sarah Elizabeth Richmond records
Scope and Contents
These records which date from 1860 to 1937 are composed of Sarah Richmond’s personal items, biographies, reports, speeches, correspondence, and memorials.
Dates
- Creation: 1860-1937, undated
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open to the public.
Conditions Governing Use
Towson University Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections; however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with SCUA to determine if we can provide permission for use.
Biographical Note
Sarah Richmond was the fourth Principal at the Maryland State Normal School, serving from 1909 until 1917. Born in Baltimore on May 20, 1840 to Henry and Mary A. Richmond, she graduated from Western High School in Baltimore City in 1855. She taught for a time at a primary school, but resigned because she would not swear an oath of allegiance to the United States during the Civil War, a requirement of all state employees at the time. Richmond, herself a relative to Southern farmers, was sympathetic to their cause. Instead, she decided to open her own private school, which she ran until June of 1865. She was the second name listed on the enrollment lists when the Maryland State Normal School opened for its first session in January of 1866. Richmond graduated that spring, and became an assistant in the school immediately following graduation. From 1867 until 1872, she taught mathematics at MSNS. In 1872, she was made Vice-Principal. In 1909 Richmond became the first female President of the Maryland State Teachers’ Association, and the first female Principal of the Maryland State Normal School. While Principal, Richmond continued to teach, offering instruction on Civics and School Management. She was deeply invested in students’ work, and acted as a surrogate parent, often alerting their guardians or parents if there were concerns about their schoolwork or their social lives. Fiercely loyal to the school, and long-time member of the Alumni Association as well as the faculty, she campaigned tirelessly to see that its physical needs were met, and her best known contribution to the history of the school was the work she did moving the campus to the country setting of Towson. Housed at Carrollton and Lafayette Avenues since 1876, the MSNS building was no longer adequate for the large number of students enrolled. It didn’t offer dormitory facilities, and boarding the students was becoming increasingly difficult. Richmond thought that a country setting would prove beneficial to both the physical and spiritual health of the students and allow them to focus better on their studies. In 1910, the Maryland State Building Commission was established, and Richmond, as MSNS Principal, was made a committee member. Her work paid off when a bill to fund a new location for the MSNS was passed in the Legislature on April 7, 1912. By September 1915, the school had moved from its location at Carrollton and Lafayette Avenues in Baltimore City to Towson, Maryland. The new site posed its own difficulties – a larger staff to oversee, handling the logistics of moving students into the dormitory, the added expense of heating and maintaining the larger physical plant, and changes to educational laws made further complications. Students were now expected to have some education beyond the eighth grade before entering the Normal School. Richmond celebrated her fiftieth anniversary with the school in 1916, and resigned as Principal the following year. She was then made Dean of Students, a position where she could advise students, and continued to teach School Management and Civics. Richmond died in Baltimore on March 4, 1921. In 1923, MSNS constructed its second dormitory for women, and dedicated it to Sarah Richmond.
Extent
2.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Sarah Elizabeth Richmond was the first female President of the Maryland State Teachers’ Association, and the first female Principal of the Maryland State Normal School. These records which date from 1860 to 1937 are composed of Sarah Richmond’s personal items, biographies, reports, speeches, correspondence, and memorials.
Bibliography
"DR. G. W. WARD RESIGNS :Miss Richmond Succeeds Him As Head Of Normal School ITS FIRST WOMAN PRINCIPAL Mr. J. Alfred Greenwood Pensioned. Applicants For Tome Scholarships Named." The Sun (1837-1985), June 11, 1909, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"GIFT TO MISS RICHMOND :Copy Of Memorial To State Board Of Education Presented." The Sun (1837-1985), September 13, 1905, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"STUNNED BY MYSTERIOUS BLOW." The Sun (1837-1985), November 6, 1909, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"DR. FLESHMAN RESIGNS." The Sun (1837-1985), June 25, 1911, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"STATE IN REAR, THEY SAY :Better Facilities Asked For Training School Teachers WORK ELSEWHERE IS SHOWN Each Year 352 New Instructors Are Needed In Maryland; Normal School Output 78." The Sun (1837-1985), February 21, 1912, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"SUBURBS FOR SCHOOL :Miss Richmond Gives Reasons For Preferring Rural Site WANTS ROOM FOR EXERCISE State Normal Principal still Believes Turnball Property The Most Advantageous." The Sun (1837-1985), August 14, 1912, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"MISS RICHMOND MAY GO :Governor Said To Want Man At Head Of State Normal School DR. STEPHENS THREATENS FIGHT Board Will Meet Today At Ocean City--Rumor Causes Stir At The Teachers' Convention." The Sun (1837-1985), July 1, 1914, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"MISS RICHMOND TO STAY :Education Board Plans Little Change At Normal School WILL AWAIT STATE SURVEY Reorganization Of Normal Schools May Follow Commission's Report To Next Legislature." The Sun (1837-1985), June 11, 1915, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"MAY OUST NORMAL HEAD :Retirement Of Miss Sarah E. Richmond Comes Up Next Week GOVERNOR SAID TO FAVOR IT State Board Of Education Expected To Put Man In Place of Veteran Teacher." The Sun (1837-1985), May 9, 1916, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"TO SEEK NORMAL HEAD :State Education Board Appoints Committee At Meeting." The Sun (1837-1985), May 11, 1916, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"NORMAL HEAD PRAISED :Miss Richmond Given Silver Service And $500 By Alumni HER 50 YEARS' WORK INDORSED Resolutions Are Passed Urging Governor To Detain Her As Principal At Towson." The Sun (1837-1985), May 14, 1916, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"WEST MAY HEAD STATE NORMAL :Former Baltimore Choice Of The Board For Superintendent." The Sun (1837-1985), January 19, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"DR. WEST HEADS NORMAL :Chosen Principal Of State School To Succeed Miss Richmond WILL RECEIVE $4,000 A YEAR Former Assistant Superintendent Of City Schools Under Dr. James H. Van Sickle." The Sun (1837-1985), March 29, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"CAN SUCH A THING BE POSSIBLE." The Sun (1837-1985), March 30, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"CITY SIZZLED, MAYOR SHIVERED." The Sun (1837-1985), August 9, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"Former Normal School Head Dead After Long Illness." The Sun (1837-1985), March 5, 1921, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
"MISS SARAH RICHMOND, NOTED EDUCATOR, DIES :Principal Emeritus Of State Normal School Had Served Institution 51 Years WORKED AFTER RETIREMENT Great Public Tribute Paid Her In 1917--Was Stricken Three Months Ago." The Sun (1837-1985), March 5, 1921, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- Cain, Mary Clough. The Historical Development of State Normal Schools for White Teachers in Maryland. New York: Bureau of Publications Teachers’ College Columbia University, 1941.
- State Teachers College at Towson. Seventy Five Years of Teacher Education. Towson, Maryland: The Alumni Assoc., 1941.
- "DR. G. W. WARD RESIGNS :Miss Richmond Succeeds Him As Head Of Normal School ITS FIRST WOMAN PRINCIPAL Mr. J. Alfred Greenwood Pensioned. Applicants For Tome Scholarships Named." The Sun (1837-1985), June 11, 1909, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "GIFT TO MISS RICHMOND :Copy Of Memorial To State Board Of Education Presented." The Sun (1837-1985), September 13, 1905, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "STUNNED BY MYSTERIOUS BLOW." The Sun (1837-1985), November 6, 1909, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "DR. FLESHMAN RESIGNS." The Sun (1837-1985), June 25, 1911, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "STATE IN REAR, THEY SAY :Better Facilities Asked For Training School Teachers WORK ELSEWHERE IS SHOWN Each Year 352 New Instructors Are Needed In Maryland; Normal School Output 78." The Sun (1837-1985), February 21, 1912, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "SUBURBS FOR SCHOOL :Miss Richmond Gives Reasons For Preferring Rural Site WANTS ROOM FOR EXERCISE State Normal Principal still Believes Turnball Property The Most Advantageous." The Sun (1837-1985), August 14, 1912, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "MISS RICHMOND MAY GO :Governor Said To Want Man At Head Of State Normal School DR. STEPHENS THREATENS FIGHT Board Will Meet Today At Ocean City--Rumor Causes Stir At The Teachers' Convention." The Sun (1837-1985), July 1, 1914, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "MISS RICHMOND TO STAY :Education Board Plans Little Change At Normal School WILL AWAIT STATE SURVEY Reorganization Of Normal Schools May Follow Commission's Report To Next Legislature." The Sun (1837-1985), June 11, 1915, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "MAY OUST NORMAL HEAD :Retirement Of Miss Sarah E. Richmond Comes Up Next Week GOVERNOR SAID TO FAVOR IT State Board Of Education Expected To Put Man In Place of Veteran Teacher." The Sun (1837-1985), May 9, 1916, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "TO SEEK NORMAL HEAD :State Education Board Appoints Committee At Meeting." The Sun (1837-1985), May 11, 1916, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "NORMAL HEAD PRAISED :Miss Richmond Given Silver Service And $500 By Alumni HER 50 YEARS' WORK INDORSED Resolutions Are Passed Urging Governor To Detain Her As Principal At Towson." The Sun (1837-1985), May 14, 1916, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "WEST MAY HEAD STATE NORMAL :Former Baltimore Choice Of The Board For Superintendent." The Sun (1837-1985), January 19, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "DR. WEST HEADS NORMAL :Chosen Principal Of State School To Succeed Miss Richmond WILL RECEIVE $4,000 A YEAR Former Assistant Superintendent Of City Schools Under Dr. James H. Van Sickle." The Sun (1837-1985), March 29, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "CAN SUCH A THING BE POSSIBLE." The Sun (1837-1985), March 30, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "CITY SIZZLED, MAYOR SHIVERED." The Sun (1837-1985), August 9, 1917, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "Former Normal School Head Dead After Long Illness." The Sun (1837-1985), March 5, 1921, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
- "MISS SARAH RICHMOND, NOTED EDUCATOR, DIES :Principal Emeritus Of State Normal School Had Served Institution 51 Years WORKED AFTER RETIREMENT Great Public Tribute Paid Her In 1917--Was Stricken Three Months Ago." The Sun (1837-1985), March 5, 1921, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed July 14, 2010).
Processing Information
Conservation or preservation treatments -- rehoused in document box with multiple subseries items; re-foldered; letters rehoused in polyester envelopes or acid-free paper for more stability and less handling; used cotton string to fasten larger fragile documents. Media clippings removed and transferred to vertical file.
Subject
- Maryland State Normal School (Towson, MD) (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Sarah Elizabeth Richmond records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Created by Felicity Knox. Revised and transferred to ArchivesSpace by John Esh
- Date
- 2010, 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Towson University Special Collections and University Archives Repository