Mantor Library, University of Maine Farmington

Leona Coy and her friends entered Farmington State Normal School (F.S.N.S.) in the fall of 1921. Her photo album chronicles the adventures of this lively group and her time at F.S.N.S. from 1921-1923.

Here are Leona and her roommates (from left to right): Louise Kelley, Leona, Eva Cummings, Alta McLean, Myrtle McLean and Arlene Plummer.

Arlene Plummer enrolled at Farmington State Normal School after graduating from Lawrence High School. She was very active on campus and involved in a variety of school governance and social organizations during her years as a student. Her interests included Campfire Girls, dramatics and singing. Arlene became a 6th grade teacher in New Jersey.

Louise Kelley was originally from Waterville. She did not graduate from F.S.N.S., but did go on to be an assistant at the Benton Grammar School.

Leona and Eva Cummings became good friends. Eva left the Normal School before she graduated for a teaching position in Raymond. She and Leona wrote to each other after she left.

One of Eva’s letters, written to Leona in January 1923, detailed her experiences as a teacher and expressed how much she missed her Normal School friends. Eva returned to F.S.N.S. a few years later and graduated in 1928.

Alta and Myrtle McLean were sisters from Ox Bow in Aroostook County. Alta entered F.S.N.S. at age 18; Myrtle was 20. Neither graduated from the Normal School, but both had entered with some teaching experience and went on to teach in Maine schools. Alta taught in Witopitlock and Myrtle in Ox Bow.

The Normal School student were encouraged to be active and get outdoors when not in classes. One local spot for idling away some free time was the Farmington Fairgrounds, located a short walk from campus.

A popular fall activity was apple picking at a nearby orchard. The gals are clearly having fun with their apples fresh off the trees. That’s Leona in the middle with Louise on her left and Arlene on her right.

Arlene (holding a rifle!) and Leona are all set for some outdoor adventures. They certainly look determined to tackle any challenge nature has to offer!

Leona and her pals enjoyed exploring the outdoors in all kinds of seasons. Here they are taking a break from a winter walk at a speed limit sign in Farmington.

Here’s the gang hitching a ride on a wood sledge.

Now they are bundled up for a sleigh ride on a fine winter day.

With ample snow and plenty of local fields and woods close to campus, snowshoeing was a great way for active students to spend time outdoors during the winter months.

Leona and Arlene look like they are having fun.

When the weather was fine, Normal School students enjoyed picnicking and the view at Craig’s Ledge. The “Normal Dom.” basket indicates lunch was prepared by students in the Domestic Science program at the school.

Leona is the third girl in the back and Manual Training instructor Miss Edna Havey is on her right.

Here is Miss Edna Havey and student Mildred Thomas enjoying a snack at Craig’s Ledge.

There were plenty of other local spots for hiking or relaxing in the outdoors. Normal School students frequently visited the Abbott Park, The Cascades, Bonney Woods, and Flint Woods.

Normal School students also frequented the shops and businesses along Main Street in the downtown, a short walk from the school.

Clearwater Pond was another popular destination. Here’s Miss Havey and student Dorothy Currier busy rowing while student Helen Aldrich looks on. The annual Class Day to celebrate the end of the school year was also often held at Clearwater.

The final outdoor activity for a Farmington State Normal School student was the class photo. For many years, the photo of the graduating class was traditionally taken in front of the town’s public library.

This is Leona and Arlene’s graduating class, the Class of 1923.