Classrooms from the Late 1800s to the Early 1900s

This display features 16 photographs of early classrooms on the UNI campus. They range in date from 1891 to 1908, with one in 1930. For the majority of the photos, the building name is not identified. However, the classrooms were most likely located in Old Central Hall, the first building on campus, Old Gilchrist Hall, the second building on campus, or the Auditorium Building (Lang Hall), the third building. The purpose of these classes was to prepare individuals to teach the subject matter in public schools.

These photos and many others are housed in the Rod Library's Special Collections.

History classroom, 1891. — History classroom in 1891. Notice the hardwood floors and the hard, wooden benches.

Art classroom, 1893. — Art classroom in 1893. In this photo each student has his or her own chair and drawing stand.

Primary methods laboratory, 1891 — Primary methods laboratory in 1891. This class appears to be working with clay. Notice that there are very few gentlemen in the room.

Women’s physical culture class, 1891. — Women’s physical culture class in 1891. They appear to be in the same room as the following photograph, which was taken six years later.

Latin class, 1893. — First year class studying Latin in 1893.

Chemical laboratory, 1891. — Chemical laboratory in 1891.

Chemistry classroom, 1908. — Chemistry classroom in 1908.

Physical science laboratory, 1905. — Physical science laboratory in 1905.

Apparatus manufacture physics class in 1891, Old Gilchrist Hall. — Apparatus manufacture physics class in 1891. Abbott C. Page was the instructor of this class, which was held in the basement of Old Gilchrist Hall. This classroom was equipped with wood-working and iron-working tools that students were expected to use to create apparatus illustrating the laws of physics. Notice that two ladies were also taking the course.

1908 Industrial Arts classroom. — This appears to be an industrial arts classroom of some kind in 1908. Notice the chips and shavings on the floor in the back by the work areas and the individual light bulbs hanging over each desk.

Early laboratory. — Undated early laboratory classroom.

Geography Classrooms

1897, classroom. — Notice the door to this 1897 classroom is directly behind the instructor’s desk, making it difficult for latecomers to enter unnoticed.

Classroom Photograph — Notice the electric lights in the ceiling in this 1908 photo.

Old Gilchrist Hall classroom, 1930. — 1930 photograph of classroom in Old Gilchrist Hall.