FSU
The First 150 Years
An Exhibit in Special Collections
at Strozier Library

          2001 marks the 150th anniversary celebration of the Florida State University and its predecessor institutions.  Special Collections at Strozier Library is pleased to take part in this event with an exhibit commemorating its history.  FSU: The First 150 Years includes photos, yearbooks, brochures, bulletins, artifacts, publications, and memorabilia from the Florida State University Archives and various other collections.  Each display case is dedicated to a particular institution.

Display Case 1

        The Florida Institute, the Seminary West of the Suwannwee, and the West Florida Seminary, were all names applied to the first school on the site.  A law enacted in 1851 provided for this seminary and another east of the Suwannee River. In 1857, the doors of a white stone building on Gallows Hill, the site where Westcott Hall now stands, were open to male secondary school students.   Female students were admitted in 1858 .  In 1891, to commemorate the graduation of  its first college class, the Gallows Hill building was remodeled and renamed College Hall.  The school continued to serve secondary school, Normal School, and college level students until 1901.  A copy of the law of 1851 and the minute book of the Florida Institute, memorabilia, and photos are on display.

Display Case 2

        The Seminary West of the Suwannee became the Florida State College in 1901.  It was coeducational.  In 1902, Masters level programs were offered.  Athletics programs were also important and the football program was begun in 1902.  Among the items on display is Ruby Diamond's 1905 graduation pin.  Ruby Diamond later became one of FSU's most generous benefactors.

Display Case 3

        In 1905, the Buckman Bill reorganized higher education in Florida by eliminating all existing state institutions and establishing four new ones.  The coeducational Florida State College became the Florida Female College, which changed its name in 1909 to the Florida State College for Women.  The school's goal was to mold the students into "Femina Perfecta", a women trained physically, mentally, and morally.  The three torches, a symbol for the school designed by a student, stand for those three areas: Vires--strength; Artes--skill; Mores--customs.  The school weathered two World Wars and a depression.  One of the photos on display is that of the "V for Victory Club" lined up in V formation on Landis Green with President Doak Campbell at the point.  Organized during World War II, it demonstrates the spirit of the students in working together to effect change.

Display Cases 4-5

        In 1947, with the large influx of male students returning from World War II, Florida State College for Women became the coeducational Florida State University.  The period that followed was a time of rapid growth and change. Existing programs were expanded and new programs and departments were added.  The FSU Circus was a unique idea of Jack Haskin and was created to provide an activity that men and women students could participate in together.  Among the many items on display are brochures from a variety of the important cultural events sponsored by departments such as Music, Art, and Theatre.
 

The exhibit will be on display in Special Collections at Strozier Library from January 22, 2001 through Summer of 2001.  Special Collections is open from 9 A.M. to 6 P. M. Monday through Friday.  Visit the Sesquicentennial Celebration at FSU site for a calendar of events, history of FSU and other information.
 

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