Today in History: CU Incorporates TC

The oldest and largest graduate school of education in the United States, Teachers College, Columbia University was founded in 1887 with insight from Grace Hoadley Dodge, a committed and enterprising social reformer who administered the Kitchen Garden Association, an organization that taught poor girls the fundamentals of domestic service. As Dodge reshaped the Kitchen Garden Association towards industrial arts and renamed it The Industrial  Education Association in 1894, she combined manual arts and the domestic arts to form an integral part of public education -- and laid the groundwork for the New York School for the Training of Teachers, which received a temporary charter from the New York State Board of Regent.  This institution became Teachers College in 1897 and would grow a close association with Columbia University in the City of New York.

On January 13th 1898 at a special meeting of the Council of Columbia Unviversity final action was taken to incorporate Teachers College into Columbia University as a professional school of education. Under these terms, Teachers College was represented in the Council, with Teachers College trustees continuing as an independent board responsible for financial adminstration and educational adminsitration under the control of its faculty, presided over by the president of the University.

Statutes developed over time, as did the campus, described as "one of the best housed and equipped institutions in the world for the training of teachers" (see below, "To Be a Part of Columbia").  After occupying No.9 University Place downtown, Teachers College moved to its present location on 120th Street, adjoining the Columbia University campus in Morningside in 1893. James Earl Russell was Dean of Teachers College from 1898-1927. Under his leadership Teachers College developed into a major professional training center and drew significant numbers of international students while it developed educational iniatiatives overseas. In 1927 JE Russell became dean emeritus, but he remained Professor of Education until 1931. He was succeeded by his son, William Fletcher Russell, who served as dean from 1927-1948, and was then appointed President of the College (1949-1954).

With financial and legal independence, Teachers College, like Barnard College, is an affiliate of Columbia University and participates in reciprocal access to library resources and services.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Where Teachers Are Taught: Remarkably Rapid Growth Of the Teachers College. Starting Only Ten Years Ago, It Has Now Become a Part Of Columbia University, With Handsome New Buildings Of Its Own -- Great Success Of Its System Proved By the Constant Demand For Its Graduates -- Its Future Bright. (1894, Jul 08). New York Times (1857-1922) 
• To Be a Part Of Columbia: The Teachers' College Goes Into the University Natural Outcome Of an Alliance Which Has Existed Since 1803 -- To Be a Department, Like Those of Medicine, law, Etc. in Alliance for Several Years.  (1898, Jan 14). New - York Tribune (1866-1899) 
• Columbia's Trustees Meet: Revised Form Of Agreement With the Teachers College Adopted. (1900, Apr 03). New - York Tribune (1900-1910) 
• News Of the Colleges: Affiliation Of Teachers College With Columbia --Summer School Prospects. (1900, Apr 14). New - York Tribune (1900-1910) 
• Mackall, L. L. (1935, Mar 17). Notes For Bibliophiles: Butler Bibliography. New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• Avirett, W. G. (1944, Nov 12). Teachers College To Celebrate Its 50th Birthday Wednesday: Inaugural Ceremony To Be Reproduced In Horace Mann Auditorium; School Grew From Move To Teach Home-Making To Working Girls. New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• Teachers College Marking 50th Year: Three University Presidents To Speak At Founders Dasy Ceremony Tomorrow. (1944, Nov 14). New York Times (1923-) 
• Dean W. F. Russell Chosen President: Columbia Teachers College To Enter New Relationship With the University. (1949, Mar 17). New York Times (1923-) 
• Hervey, W. L. (1949, Apr 09). History Of Teachers College. New York Times (1923-) 
• Nordlinger, S. E. (1959, Aug 30). Where Teachers Are Taught. The Sun (1837-) 

Tips:

• Cremin, Lawrence A. (Lawrence Arthur). A History of Teachers College, Columbia University. New York: Columbia University Press, 1954. Main Stacks ; LB2193.C62 C7 1954; e-book
• Russell, James E. (James Earl). Founding Teachers College : Reminiscences of the Dean Emeritus. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1937. TCANA, Closed Stacks Research Closed Stacks Research LD1249 .R87 1937; e-book
• Statutes and Bylaws and Other Official Documents : as Amended to October 9, 1975. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1975. TCANA ; LB1921 .N48 T4 1975 
• Toepfer, Kenneth H. James Earl Russell and the Rise of Teachers College, 1897-1945. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1966.  Dissertation.

Images:

• Columbia University. From Northwest. Includes Whittier, Macy, Main Building, And Horace Mann. Teachers College. (Ca. 1900), Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University
• Commencement Group, Teachers College Graduates And Faculty On The Steps Of The Main Building. (1898),  Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University

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