University of Maine history

In the early years of the school's history, the location for the training of teachers alternated between Fort Kent and Van Buren, and in 1884 the school serving the lower section of the territory moved from Van Buren to Grand Isle.

In 1906, The Senior Skull Honor Society was founded to "publicly recognize, formally reward, and continually promote outstanding leadership and scholarship, and exemplary citizenship within the University of Maine community."

All citizens were invited to attend a hearing at the State House, Tuesday, February 2, 1909 and to use their influence to get the cased (sic) before the Educational Committee…. The hearing was largely attended, not only by citizens of Machias, but by interested persons from all over the county.

At their March 28, 1910 town meeting they authorized the borrowing of $12,000 to cover the cost of construction of the model school for the normal school.6 The support exhibited by Mr.

On January 3, 1911 the school was moved to a new administrative/classroom building located on the site of Powers Hall, the present administrative building.

On Margaretta Day, June 12, 1912, twenty-three students were graduated from Washington State Normal School, and on that first graduation day the administration/classroom building was dedicated by Governor Frederic W. Plaisted.

In 1915 the dormitory for women, now known as Kimball Hall, was opened.

In 1922 a wing was added to the administration/classroom building, and the domestic science department previously housed in the women’s dormitory was moved to the administration/classroom building.

On April 16, 1925, 80 women met in Balentine Hall — faculty, alumnae, and undergraduate representatives — to plan a pledging of members to an inaugural honorary organization.

In March of 1927 Doctor Powers was granted a leave of absence because of his illness.

In June of 1928 the administration/classroom building was rededicated as Powers Hall.

4. 9“A Brief Historical Sketch: Washington State Normal School Anniversary Supplement to the Union-Republican, Machias, Maine, June 5, 1930.

10Town of Machias Records, 1931-38, Volume 6, pg.

The alumni presented a picture of Doctor William L. Powers to be hung in the Assembly Hall.9 On February 10, 1936, fire destroyed the administration and classroom building and all of its contents with the exception of a few records saved from the principal’s office.

On June 14, 1937 the building was formally dedicated as Powers Hall in honor of Doctor William L. Powers.

The first Bachelor of Science degree was conferred in June of 1953.

Reynolds, a native of Machias and a graduate of the Machias campus, had served on the staff since 1954 when he became a supervising teacher for grades 7 and 8 in the Campus School.

A need for housing for men students was recognized, and a $210,000 structure was opened in September of 1959 and officially dedicated as Sennett Hall on November 1, 1959.

The 1960’s were years of growth for the campus but at the close of the decade it met one of its most demanding challenges.

14William Williamson, “‘Twas Hot Night in Machias for UM Chancellor”, Maine Sunday Telegram, December 7, 1969.

On April 9, 1970, the Board of Trustees voted again to change the names of the various campuses in the university system.

Under the leadership of President Arthur S. Buswell, a Pilot Plan was produced in 1972 and a period of intensive planning for the development of the institution was begun.

Inclusive events like Pride Week, Gay Thanksgiving, and Lavender Prom are popular on campus in today’s environment, but a safe and vocal LGBTQ+ community did not exist at the University of Maine until the student group Wilde Stein was founded in 1974.

11“Normal School Fire in ’36”, Bangor Daily News, February 11, 1976.

To replace this program, and thus to respond better to area needs, a two-year program in secretarial sciences culminating in an associate degree was offered beginning with the fall semester of 1978.

When Doctor Buswell’s retirement became effective, Frederic A. Reynolds became acting President of UMM on July 1, 1981.

In the early eighties, John and Norma Marin gave $108,000 from the sale of John Marin, Sr., paintings to start the building of a Performing Arts Center at UMM. During 1982-83 work was done to remodel the old auditorium/gymnasium in Powers Hall.

Frederic A. Reynolds, Acting UMM President, was named to that position and on February 8, 1983, became president.

On March 7, 1985, UMM received a grant of $64,750 from the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust for development of a new rural education curriculum for elementary teachers.

An Information Management Center was established in Fall 1986.

In February, 1987, UMM formed a partnership with Rose Gaffney School for teacher training.

In April 1988 a new art gallery was opened in Powers Hall.

The Project STILE – Supporting Technology In Learning Environment – was completed in December 1991.