The history of a nation is crucial in national identity. Detlef Hoffman discusses in his essay "German Museum and Nation" the complex stages to achieve national unity through history. To achieve this in Germany, museum were built and contained historical art and artifacts to depict the nation's history. Hoffman states, "antiquities were understood as artifacts, as illustrations or sources of reference that could be used to confirm knowledge gained independently of these national remnants;" which explains how historical elements can recreate the past and educate present members of a nation (6).
Indiana State doesn't have a "national museum," but artifacts around campus such as buildings, statues, plaques, and photographs act as a widespread museum. The names of buildings each represent an important figure in Indiana State's history; statues and plaques mesh together to inform current "citizens" of Indiana State of important historical occurrences. Photographs throughout buildings, especially the library, provide pieces of art to represent Indiana State's past. The history of Indiana State University is seen on campus; Indiana State understands that in order to fully comprehend the present and future of any nation, the history must be known.
The university seal can be found around campus everywhere - this picture was taken on the sidewalk near the library. The seal includes the symbols of the book and torch and the founding date of 1865. The book symbolizes knowledge and truth gained at Indiana State, and the torch symbolizes the light of inspiration that comes to students in the university halls. It was approved in 1929, the year that the Normal School became Indiana State Teachers College.
This memorial is located where the Physical Education Building was first built until it was destroyed by fire July 23, 1984. It is dedicated to Florence M. Curtis, professor of Women's Physical Education and head of Women's Physical Education Department from 1924 until 1957, for her contribution to the program. There is also a scholarship honoring her.
This statue's plaque says, "dedication to service" by Harry V. Wann. Wann was the chairman of the Foreign Language Department, and also an accomplished professor and writer. He created the sculpture with the woman's hands stretched, representing a blessing for the teaching profession. The statue was dedicated in April 1950, located east of Gillum Hall.
This statue, located near Tirey Hall, was created "in honor of the 1,607 young men at Indiana State Teachers College who served America during World War II through participation in the Navy V-12 College Training Program" (as the plaque says). The program lasted from 1943 to 1946, which allowed students to complete their college education while participating in military training, as well as supporting the war. The convergence of the Navy and American colleges and universities produced around 60,000 officers.
This gate, west of Tirey Hall, honors Helen E. Reeve, who was the director of the Women's Residence Hall 1926-1946, and the Dean of Women 1946-1956. This was dedicated October 18, 1959. In 1924, a ceremony held by President Linneaus Hines, named the building "Women's Residence Hall." Reeve Hall was the only residence hall for women from 1924-1959. The hall housed 100 women, and had a dining area, library and lounge. Reeve Hall was located where the Technology Building is currently. Carvings, as seen to the right in this photo, were kept from the building and are located in the cement in front of the Technology Building to preserve the history of Reeve Hall.The Condit House is the oldest structure on campus, build in 1860. Its name originates from the family of Reverend Blackford Condit, a private residence from 1862 to 1962. The family released the property to Indiana State in 1962, and restored as the residence of the president in 1968. It altered from the presidential residence to office in 1992, and returned as the residence in 2008.
Further, each building has its own historical significance. Naming in honor of a person captures history and serves to remind students and facility of the historical successes. The date the buildings were named are in parenthesis.
Blumberg Hall (Nov. 1, 1964) - in honor of Benjamin and Frannie Blumberg, a Terre Haute couple, for their devotion and generosity to the university and programs. Blumberg is dormitory, and is a part of the sycamore towers.
Burford Hall (Oct. 18 1959) - named for Charlotte Schweitzer Burford who was the Dean of Women from 1910 to 1946. It was originally intended for women only, but now is a general housing dormitory. Mrs. Burford was a teacher at Indiana State from 1902 until 1910.
Cromwell Hall (Nov. 1, 1964) - a residence hall, and part of the sycamore towers, named in honor of Beecher Cromwell, a strong supporter and donator to the Indiana State Teachers College and the Athletic Scholarship Fund. He financially supported and encouraged the universities development. Cunningham Memorial Library (March 8, 1974) - named after the Indiana State Normal School's first librarian, Arthur C. Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham gave his house and land to the university, which was located where Normal Hall is now.
Dede Plaza - in honor of Ed and Mary Dede who donated money to the construction of the plaza. The plaza is located at the former intersection of 6th and Chestnut streets.
Erikson Hall (Nov. 4, 1962) - named for Martina C. Erikson, wife of William W. Parsons, the third president of Indiana State Normal School. Mrs. Erikson served as the Dean of Women from 1905 to 1910.Fairbanks Hall - Crawford Fairbanks, a businessman of Terre Haute, proposed the construction of the building (originally a library). The building is named in honor of his mother, Emeline Fairbanks. Indiana State was given possession of the building in 1978, and was officially named Fairbanks Hall on Jan. 22, 1984.
Hines Hall (Jan. 5, 1967) - a dormitory named in honor of the 4th president, Linnaeus Neal Hines, who served from 1921 until 1933.
Holmstedt Hall (June 4, 1966) - named after the 6th president, Raleigh W. Holmstedt.
Hulman Center (Dec. 14, 1973) - in honor of Mary and Anton Hulman for their donation of land, and for their role as benefactors for the university and of Terre Haute. The Hulman Center cost $10 million to construct in 1971. Jones Hall (Jan. 5, 1967) - a dormitory named for President William Albert Jones, who served from 1869 to 1879, and was the first president of Indiana State Normal School.
Lincoln Quadrangle - named in honor of Abraham Lincoln in 1969, who served as the 16th president of the United States until his assignation in April 1865 . The quads serve as an on-campus dormitory.
Mills Hall (Nov. 19, 1965) - named for Caleb Mills, who was the second Indiana Superintendent of Public instruction. Mr. Mills is remembered as the "father of public school education in Indiana." Mills Hall is a residence hall, and is a part of the sycamore towers.
Normal Hall (June 21, 1910) - was originally built as a library and dedicated to the Normal School in 1910. It was remodeled in 1957, and now serves as administrative offices and storage spaces. It was named after the Indiana State Normal School.
Parsons Hall (Nov. 12, 1937) - named for William Wood Parsons, who was the president of Indiana State Normal School 1885-1921. The building was originally the first all mens dormitory. It now serves as office space, since 1969.
Pickerl Hall (Nov. 3, 1963) - named for Dorothea Maude Pickerl, a graduate from the class of 1914. The hall was an all women's residence hall, but now serves as a general residence hall.
Rhoads Hall (Nov. 19, 1965) - is named after Baskin E. Rhoads, an Indiana State legislator who suggested a bill in 1865 to establish a State Normal School. Rhoads Hall is a residence hall and is a part of the sycamore towers.
Sandison Hall (Nov. 4, 1962) - named after Howard Sandison, the Vice President of Indiana State Normal School from 1886 to 1917. It serves as a dormitory since its opening in 1962.
Stalker Hall (1966) - named after Francis marion Stalker, a faculty member from 1892 until 1929. Stalker Hall was originally called the Education and Social Studies Building until 1954.
Technology Center - named in honor of John T. Myers, a former State Representative who served congress for 30 years.
Tirey Hall Student Union (March 15, 1940) - named in honor of Ralph Noble Tirey, the 6th president of Indiana State University, serving from 1934 to 1953. Tilson auditorium, located in Tirey Hall, was named after Lowell Mason Tilson, faculty of the Music Department from 1915 to 1940.
Each of these structures may appear as decor to most students, but when looked at closely, traces of Indiana State University's history is present, adding to the creation of Indiana State's "nation". As Hoffman states, "It is only when dormant objects are activated at their significance-and that includes their historical significance-becomes apparent" (18).
