Off to College, Off to War: Farmington State Normal School, 1917-1918

Text by Kelly Boivin and Laurie MacWhinnie
With Images from the University of Maine at Farmington Archive

In 1917, America entered World War I, and a new group of young people entered Farmington State Normal School to begin their college education. Among them was a girl who created a funny, lively photo album that documents two years of student life at F.S.N.S. This spirited young lady, identified only as Liz, chronicled her "bunch" as they enjoyed outings to the Cascades, the slate quarry, Clearwater Lake, Powder House Hill, and other Farmington landmarks.

She speaks, through photographs and humorous captions, of soldiers in Farmington, fundraising efforts on behalf of the Red Cross, and the fact that she had only a single male classmate. Despite these references to the realities of campus life during wartime, F.S.N.S. was the site of many "jolly times".

Liz's photo album is part of the collection of the University of Maine at Farmington Archive, Mantor Library.

Student "Supper Bunch," Farmington State Normal School, ca. 1917

Student "Supper Bunch," Farmington State Normal School, ca. 1917

Liz and her bunch. Liz is on the far right in the back row, wearing the flowered hat.

Item Contributed by
Mantor Library at UMF