San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection, 1881-2019

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Summary

Title:
San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection
Dates:
1881-2019
Creators:
CSU San Jose
Abstract:
The San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection documents the academic and social experiences of students who attended the college from the days when it was the Normal School to the present name of San Jose Staté University. The bulk of the collection is comprised of school catalogs, certificates/diplomas, report cards, teacher curriculum cards, and faculty correspondence. Other formats include event booklets, dance cards, newspaper clippings, yearbooks, scrapbooks, photographs, and magazines.
Extent:
3 boxes (2.04 linear feet)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection, MSS-2011-06-23, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection, 1881-1975, documents student life at the school throughout its different eras as the Normal School, the Teachers College, San Jose State College, CSU San Jose, and finally, San Jose State University. 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.

Biographical / historical:

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 its 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.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Sonia Miller. Finding aid EAD encoded by Rosalinda Gonzales. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. Accruals added in March 2016 by Grace Song and Natalie Sanchez. Accrual added to Series IV by Rea Sandhu in June 2025.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into four series and is delineated chronologically by the various name changes of the college: Series I: San Jose Normal School; Series II: San Jose Teachers College; Series III: San Jose State College; and Series IV: CSU San Jose and San Jose State University.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Sonia Miller; Collection processed by Sonia Miller. Finding aid EAD encoded by Rosalinda Gonzales. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. Updated by Grace Song and Natalie Sanchez, March 2016.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-06-16 23:39:38 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

San José State University Student Memorabilia Collection, MSS-2011-06-23, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Location of this collection:
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0028, US
Contact:
408-808-2062
special.collections@sjsu.edu
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