Johnson Normal School
Johnson, Vermont
1828-2018
E-Travel
Four Janus yearbooks from 1955-1970 are available through Ancestry.com. The Johnson Historical Society Newsletter has a history of the school and buildings. Northeast Kingdom Genealogy lists students by term. In addition to Lamoille County newspapers, The Burlington Free Press and the Vermont Watchman covered school news. The school seal is attributed to http://www.jsc.edu/.
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​In 1962 Johnson Teachers College was allowed to add a liberal arts emphasis and a name change to Johnson State College. In 2018 Johnson merged with Lyndon State College to create Northern Vermont University. After a further merger, the school now is the Johnson Campus of Vermont State University.
Bricks and Mortar
The original Building—later named Chesamore Hall—was a square two-story frame building with a belfry on Main Street. In 1847 the building was moved back twenty feet to provide space for an addition to the front. A renovation in 1867 doubled its size to 70 by 40 feet. The lower floor was divided into three classrooms. The entire second floor became an assembly hall. When the school was designated as a state normal school, the public school in Johnson set aside one classroom for use as a model school. Students obtained room and board from local families until the state provided funds for a dormitory in 1910. Sterling Hall, completed in 1913, began the school’s move toward a hilltop campus.
History
What became Johnson State College began in John Chesamore’s cobbler’s shop, where a Dr. Carpenter began teaching Greek, Latin, Algebra, and Geometry in 1828. That school was chartered as Johnson Academy in 1830. In 1836, when Lamoille County was created, Johnson Academy became Lamoille County Grammar School with an enrollment of 148. In 1867 the grammar school became one of three teacher training schools established by the state. Enrollment reached 120 by 1872.
The curriculum was in two tracks. The two-year First course, open to grammar school graduates, led to five-year teaching certificate. The Second course, open to First course or high school graduates, led to a ten-year certificate. Examinations for diploma were conducted by an outside three-member panel.
In “State Normal Schools and the Education of Vermonters,” Ennis Duling called male students “a rarity.” Students were generally “country girls of limited means and modest backgrounds.” Even so, Johnson Normal School offered a rich academic experience. Newspapers note dances, musical groups and programs, dramatic performances, and the winter carnival. Organized physical activities included hiking, skiing, and show shoeing.
In 1947 Johnson Normal School became Johnson Teachers College, now offering a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. The Janus shows a male enrollment of “less than fifty,” but an increase in student activities such as Future Teachers of America, Athletic Association, Student Council, Dramatics Club, and Square Dance Club. Publications included a newspaper—the Campus Searchlight—in addition to the Janus.
By the 1940’s Chesamore Hall was no longer adequate, so the state provided $100,000 to build McClellan Hall, a two-story-over-basement brick structure, to house the school. At the time of the merger, the Johnson campus contained twelve modern buildings and athletic fields.
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Postcard image of Chesamore Hall. Image from Cardcow
Chesamore Hall was ultimately sold. Renovated, it remains a Main Street landmark as the home for the Barbara White Studios. McClellan Hall, no longer needed, was up for sale in 2020.
Sports
School colors: Green, Navy and White
Team name: In1955 teams were known as Indians. Badgers was adopted before 1990'
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In 1930 the Johnson Community League Gymnasium was completed, giving J.N.S. a place to play basketball, so sports history at the school dates from that period. The 1930 girls’ basketball team defeated Lamoille Central Academy 30-15, and the school celebrated with a basketball banquet. For a number of years J.N.C. teams competed against area academies, and high schools with limited success. During this period, intramural sports included a tennis tournament and a field day.
By 1955 the Janus shows that male enrollment was sufficient to field soccer, basketball, and baseball teams, while women’s teams competed in soccer, basketball and softball. After 1947 Johnson Normal School competed at collegiate level.
Volume 25 of Johnson Views notes that in the 1960’s and 70’s, Johnson State College had a ski team ranked in the top ten nationally.
The 1955 Johnson Normal School basketball team compiled a 9-7 record. Image from Janus, from theancesterhunt.com
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