Mantor Library, University of Maine Farmington

Farmington Normal classmates Dorothy “Dot” Palmer, Edith “Dickie” Chase, Millie, and Edna Smith display their school spirit while enjoying a stroll on their first Sunday in Farmington in September 1915.

Winona Paddack, Lucie Fellows, Ethel Bryant, Ethel Jones, Helen Kennison, Catherine Johnston, and Josie Day gather outside Purington Hall.

These friends frequently enjoyed outings and social activities when not in the classroom.

Normal students quickly discover access to the portico roof of their dormitory via some of the second floor windows. They often spend time hanging out there.

Classmates, dressed in their gym outfits of bloomers and sailor shirts, horse around on the roof of Purington Hall.

Normal students also wore these outfits when playing on their dormitory or class basketball teams.

Best friends Elizabeth Scott and Marion Lord huddle together, with Farmington roof tops in the background.

They were known as “the girls who never talk above a whisper.”

Some students find adventure climbing up on train cars at the railroad station for “a free ride up the Sandy.”

The station was a short walk from the school.

Horseback riding is also a pastime for some students.

Betty Bean on Buck and E.J. (Ethel Jones) on Bill stop next to Purington Hall during their ride on a sunny spring day.

Miss Taylor, with Normal students Ethel Jones and Josie Day, pause outside of Purington Hall for a photo together before heading off on an adventure.

Miss Taylor, Ethel and Josie join others on a horse and carriage ride on a sunny September day.

Catherine Johnston, Winona Paddock, Ethel Jones and Clara Jackson with Miss Taylor (middle) stop for a group photograph with the horse.

Winona, Ethel, Miss Taylor, Josie and Clara also enjoy a break on the grass by the road.

Ethel Jones (“Turtle”), dressed in her Farmington letter sweater and bloomers, ventures out on skis.

Snowshoeing and skiing were popular winter activities for Normal students in the early 1910s.

Theater was also a very popular activity at the college.

Lucille Paul and Mary Carney, dressed in Twelfth Night costumes, stop on the steps of Merrill Hall for a picture, with a classmate looking on.

During World War I, Normal students spent some of their free time knitting items to send to soldiers.

One industrious student continues her needlework while seated with classmates on the steps of Purington Hall.

Normal School students also participated in community activities in aid of the war effort.

An enterprising student gives a shoe shine on the roof of Purington Hall to raise money for Red Cross.

On April 19, 1917, a patriotic parade was held in downtown Farmington in honor of “Wake Up America” Day. It was part of a national effort to show support for those serving in the war and to increase enlistment in the armed forces.

This student, dressed in her finest outfit and hat, strikes a patriotic pose with Purington Hall and the American flag in the background.

Company K of the 2nd Maine Infantry Division, based in Farmington and part of the New England National Guard, participates in the parade.

The following year, Normal students participate in a Red Cross parade in downtown Farmington.

Although students are encouraged to take part in social and charitable activities, academics is the highest priority for those eager to earn their diploma and graduate in June.

The first event in the graduation season is the annual Arbor Day procession. It is also known as “Ivy Day” because graduating classes often planted an ivy rather than a class tree.

Errol L Dearborn leads the procession on May 10, 1918 and is the only male graduate of the class.

Normal students, with picnic baskets in hand, head to Craigs Ledge for an outing sponsored by the local Methodist Church on May 11, 1918.

Attendance at religious services was a requirement in the school’s early years and many students were members of the Methodist Church located just across the street from the school.

Ethel Jones and classmate Esther enjoy the day at Craigs Ledge.

Class Day at Clearwater Pond is another annual graduation tradition.

With bedrolls in hand, the students board a wagon headed to the pond on May 17, 1918.

Once at Clearwater, students can hike, swim, or go out in the row boat before camping out overnight.

This barefoot group gets ready to venture into the pond.

The water could be quite cold in May, so the students venture in “only knee deep.”

The Clearwater outing is the “final salute” to a Normal student’s time at Farmington Normal School.

After graduation on June 21, 1918, students head to the train station and say their final “goodbye” to Farmington.