B Higher Education – State University of New York College at Brockport

Dr. Ernest C. Hartwell, the spirit of Brockport Higher Education

Ernest C. Hartwell (1937-44) presided over the conversion of the Normal School into a college, thereby beginning the transition into today’s modern comprehensive college.

A Baptist College began here in 1835 on land donated by Hiel Brockway, cofounder of Brockport. The Brockport Collegiate Institute (BCI), a prep school with teacher training, used the same building from 1842 until it burned in 1854. The Village of Brockport erected a new building to house the BCI. After the Civil War, New York State established a system of “normal schools” with two- or three-year programs to train school teachers. Brockport State Normal School was founded in 1867 as part of the original system. By 1902 major building additions had been made. The Normal School building was demolished in 1940 after Hartwell Hall was completed in front of it. The institution became a four-year State Teachers College in 1942. In 1948, the State Teachers Colleges became part of the newly-created State University of New York.

This panel was dedicated Friday, December 5, 2008. Accepting for the College at Brockport was John R. Halstead, President (far right). Also pictured are (l-r): Norman Frisch, panel designer, Allan Berry, Chair of the Interpretive Panel Committee. William G. Andrews, Museum President. Photo: Nicholas Mascari, College at Brockport

Acknowledgements: From the College at Brockport: Mary jo Gigliotti, Archivist, research; Roxanne Johnson, Vice President of Advancement, project adoption; Richard Black, Director of Design and Production, coordination with panel manufacturer; Virginia Campbell, Acting Director of Marking Communications, proofing; Richard Lair, Director of Facilities Maintenance, panel siting; Nicholas Mascari, Marketing Communications Manager, publicity.

Panel Image Sources: #1 Hartwell portrait, #6 Harrison home photo and “E” 2007 Hartwell Photo: SUNY Brockport Marketing Communications (James Dusen); Engravings “A” and “B”, and #9 1872 map: SUNY Brockport archives (Mary Jo Gigliotti); Double postcard “C”: Bill Andrews file; Photo “D”: Brockport Central School District (Jim Fallon). Timeline and modern map: Norm Frisch.

Interpretive Panel Text

Higher Education – State University of New York College at Brockport

Dr. Ernest C. Hartwell, the spirit of Brockport Higher Education

Ernest C. Hartwell (1936-44) presided over the conversion of the Normal School into a college, thereby beginning the transition into today’s modern comprehensive college.
A Baptist College began here in 1835 on land donated by Hiel Brockway, cofounder of Brockport. The Brockport Collegiate Institute (BCI), a prep school with teacher training, used the same building (A) from 1841 until it burned in 1854.
The Village of Brockport erected a new building (B) to house the BCI. After the Civil War, New York State established a system of “normal schools” with two- or three-year programs to train school teachers. Brockport State Normal School was founded in 1867 as part of the original system. By 1902 major building additions had been made (C).
The Normal School building (D) was demolished in 1940 after Hartwell Hall was completed in front of it (D, E). The institution became a four-year State Teachers College in 1942.
In 1948, the State Teachers Colleges became part of the newly-created State University of New York. The state agreed with the private colleges that SUNY would not offer liberal arts courses for 10 years.
This home, the oldest building on campus, was built about 1870 for Brockport merchant Edward Harrison. The Normal School acquired it in 1898 and used it for the Principal’s (later, President’s) residence until 1964. After that, it housed the Department of English (1964-67) and served as a dining facility (1967-72). Since 1972, the stately building has been known as Alumni House, home to the Brockport Alumni Association.
In 1959, Governor Nelson Rockefeller undertook to convert SUNY into a full-scale, comprehensive university system. Brockport became one of the System’s State University Colleges in 1961.
Starting in the mid-1960s President Albert W. Brown transformed the school into a comprehensive college with a broad range of liberal arts and professional degree programs, and implemented an immense building program. Enrollment grew from about 2,900, eventually stabilizing at about 8,600. Under the leadership of John E. Van de Wetering, Paul Yu and John R. Halstead, the College continues to flourish into the 21st century, playing a vital role in the educational, cultural and economic well being of the greater Brockport community and surrounding region.
The 1872 Normal School (in red, above) is dwarfed by the 2007 State University of New York College at Brockport campus (below).

Picture caption: A. The building that housed first the Baptist College, then the Brockport Collegiate Institute.

Picture caption: B. The new Brockport Collegiate Institute building.

Picture caption: C. The same BCI building as it looked in 1902, with south and north wings (SW, NW) and the North and East Buildings (NB, EB) added.

Picture caption: D. The State Normal and Training School (left), with Hartwell Hall under construction (right).

Picture caption: E. Hartwell Hall as it looked from the northeast in 2007.

Picture caption: The Harrison home, now the Alumni House.

Brockport Community Museum

A Museum Without Walls

This sign was developed by The Brockport Community Museum Exterior Sign Committee, sponsored by The College at Brockport, and dedicated in 2008.