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San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection
MSS-2011-06-23
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Title: San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2011-06-23
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.09 Linear feet,
2 Boxes
Date (inclusive): 1881-1971
Abstract: The SJSU Student Memorabilia Collection documents the academic and social experiences of students who attended the college
from 1881 to 1971.The bulk of the collection is comprised of school catalogs, certificates/diplomas, report cards, teacher
curriculum cards, and faculty correspondence. Other formats of note include event booklets, dance cards, newspaper clippings,
year books, scrapbooks, photographs, and magazines. The collection consists of three series, which are arranged by the chronological
era of the college, and delineated by format: Series I: San Jose Normal School, 1881-1920; Series II: San Jose Teacher College,
1921-1934; Series III: San Jose State Collge, 1935-1971.
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
The collection is open for research.
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the
original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes
San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection, MSS-2011-07-14, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
Collection processed by Sonia Miller. Finding aid EAD encoded by Rosalinda Gonzales. Reviewed by Danelle Moon.
In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers
in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, The institution was formally established as the first California
State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San
Jose and the school relocated to it’s new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed
the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed
in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes,
Minns' Normal School is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations,
and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.
The Student Memorabilia Collection 1881-1971, (1881-1971) documents student life at San José State University from 1881 and
1971. The bulk of the collection is comprised of memorabilia documenting students' academic records such as: school catalogues,
certificates/diplomas, report cards, teacher exercises cards, and faculty correspondence. Student life on campus is also documented
through event booklets, dance cards, newspaper clippings, yearbooks, and other miscellaneous memorabilia such as scrapbooks,
photographs, and magazines.
Benjamin F. Gilbert and Charles Burdick. Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San Jose State University. (San Jose,
California: San Jose State University, 1980).
James P. Walsh. San Jose State University: An Interpretive History, 1950-2000. (San Jose, California: San Jose State University,
2003).
San Jose State University. “About SJSU.” http://www.sjsu.edu/about_sjsu/. (2009).
This collection is arranged into three series and is delineated chronologically by the various name changes of the college:
Series I, San Jose Normal School (1881-1920); Series II, San Jose Teacher College (1921-1934; Series III, San Jose State College
(1935-1971).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California State University, San José -- History
Education, Higher -- California -- San José
Greek societies -- California -- San Jose
San Jose State College -- History
San Jose State Normal School -- History
San José State Normal School -- Memorabilia,
San José State Normal School Memorabilia -- History
San José State Teachers College -- History
San José State University -- History
San José State University -- Students
Students -- Social life and customs
Students -- Societies