Normal School roommates, Farmington, ca. 1921
Mantor Library at UMF
Leona Coy and her friends were students at Farmington State Normal School in the early 1920s.
Leona's photo album, chronicling her years as a Normal girl from 1921 to 1923, was gifted to the University on the occasion of her 75th reunion in 1998.
The album includes images of Leona and her friends as well as a letter written in 1923 from her classmate, Eva Cummings, in which Eva details experiences as a teacher in a small school in Raymond, Maine.
Eva had 22 students, ages 3 through 7th grade. She enjoyed her job, explaining:
"I really like my school work. I enjoy the higher grades best. Our school house is new, but no windows on the south side. We never get any sun. I have a piano. And a poor heater. Superintendent promised a new stove but that’s as much as I got."
In addition to teaching, she also was responsible for feeding the children:
"I serve, with the help of the children, hot lunches for 22 every day. I have one on cook. and 2 housekeepers. They do fine. When we have potatoes, the 3 & 4 grade peel them for busy work."
She also participated in social activities and other fundraising events at the school to provide more resources for her classroom:
"Last fall we had entertainments and dances every Friday night at the school house. The seats are movable. We raised a little money for the school. I think we’ll start them next spring. I auctioned off boxes for a box supper one night. You should have heard me. 50 cents I have, who’ll make it 60 cents. Nice supper and a good looking girl to eat with. All ready boys, what do you have to say, etc. Gee! it was funny but I sold them and got a good lot of money.
I hope you don’t get so tired of reading this that you won’t write again sometime. I often think of Farmington and really wish I were back getting thru this year. Country schools are hard. I wish I could teach one grade."
Eva also shared with Leona her thoughts about her future:
"I am going to teach I think or work at something next year. When I go back to Normal I shall take up Domestic Science. I made a big mistake not to take it last year. I shall enjoy it I know."
Eva eventually did return to F.S.N.S. and graduated in 1928.
Sources: Admissions Record Book, 1891-1928, Farmington State Normal School; Attendance Record Books, 1922 - 1927, Farmington State Normal School; Leona Coy photo album/scrapbook.
