The 1918 Salem Normal School Yearbook gives us a glimpse into how students and professors grappled with World War I on the home front. The book opens with a message from the editorial staff stating: “Our Year Book goes the way of all books today – the way of the war.” Contained inside are lists of publications and poems related to the war and updates on how student groups supported the war effort on campus.
With the help of Horace Mann Training School students, many Salem Normal School clubs transitioned to providing aid through volunteerism, fundraising, or letter writing.
Under the guidance of teacher Charles F. Whitney, the Art Club chose to create comfort kits for soldiers and sailors serving abroad. Whitney also included a booklet with cheerful designs and inspirational quotes saying: “May its little flames illuminate their path of glory and spur us on to continue our work.”
The Athletic Association and Fraternity ensured that each student enlisted received a letter from a fellow classmate at least once every two weeks to keep their spirits up. Together with Training School students, nineteen Christmas boxes were sent abroad, each was “filled with articles useful for toilet purposes and amusement.”
Another group, The Pitman Citizenship Club, studied and discussed food conservation and distribution in the community. Later in the school year, the group partnered with The Intermediate Senior Civics Club and raised $70 through a Thrift Stamp Drive, a popular form of fundraising at the time.
The 1919 Salem Normal School Yearbook reflected on this time of productivity and togetherness, saying: "Never before have the patriotic feelings of the students and faculty of the school been so prominently on display."
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Additional Posts:
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1919 Salem Normal School Yearbook
Troops Leave Salem
Salem Fraternity and Troop II
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Student Activities
Yearbooks
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