Pritchett Normal Institute
Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Started as preparatory institute in 1901 by Albert, R. W. and J. P. Maberry, aided by Ben Wiliams and W. W. Sanders. Trained teachers. Also had public school courses, with pupils from far away as Panhandle of Texas. Added a building in 1908. Plant was sold, 1915, to public school system. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Started in 1901 by the Maberry brothers with help from local citizens, Pritchett Normal Institute trained teachers for the growing schools of Texas and offered public-school courses drawing pupils from as far away as the Panhandle. A "normal school" of its day, it grew enough to add a building in 1908 before selling its plant to the public school system in 1915.
Why it matters
Private normal institutes like this one filled a crucial gap in early Texas, training the teachers who staffed a rural state's expanding public schools before the state built that capacity itself.
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Related people
- · Albert Maberry
- · R. W. Maberry
- · J. P. Maberry
- · Ben Williams
- · W. W. Sanders
Themes & tags
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