This is a timeline of major events and changes related to Towson University and its predecessor institutions Maryland State Normal School (1866–1935), Maryland State Teachers College at Towson (1935–1963), Towson State College (1963–1976), and Towson State University (1976–1997).
19th century
1865
General Assembly of Maryland enacts legislation establishing a statewide system of free public schools and authorizing the creation of a teacher training school. Maryland is the 7th state to establish such a training school.
1866
Maryland State Normal School (MSNS) opens its doors on January 15, 1866 in Red Men's Hall, 24 North Paca Street, Baltimore, Maryland. Eleven students are enrolled on the first day. McFadden Alexander Newell is the first principal. On June 8, 1866, MSNS holds its first commencement with 16 graduates and ends the academic year with an enrollment of 48 students.
1873
MSNS moves to the Athenaeum Club Home at Charles and Franklin Streets, Baltimore.
1876
MSNS moves to a new building at Carrollton and Lafayette Streets on February 29.
1890
Dr. Elijah Barrett Prettyman is named the second Principal of MSNS. He also serves as the State Superintendent of Education until 1896.
1900-1909
1901
Basketball, a new sport in the United States, is introduced at MSNS for both men and women.
1905
Dr. George W. Ward (1905–09) becomes the third principal of MSNS.
1909
Sarah E. Richmond becomes the 5th principal. Her vision for MSNS was to expand the facilities and move the school to Baltimore County.
1910-1919
1910
Miss Richmond begins a drive for a new location. General Assembly creates a building commission to oversee site selection, budget and design of a new school.
1915
MSNS moves to the Towson campus during the summer and classes start in September. There are 3 new buildings, Administration, a classroom, library and office building; Newell Hall, a dormitory for women, and the Power Plant. A fourth building, Glen Esk, the home of the previous owners serves as the home for the Principal.
1917
Dr. Henry S. West becomes the 6th principal of MSNS. Dr. West hires a business manager to handle the running of the large school facility (grounds, buildings, people). The first dean position is created; it is filled by Sarah Richmond. The Department of Pedagogy is established with John L. Dunkle as its leader.
1920-1929
1920
Dr. Lida Lee Tall becomes the 7th principal (1920–34) and the first leader to be entitled president (1934–38).
1921
First student newspaper is issued without titles.
1922
The Oriole begins publication as the student newspaper.
1924
Baltimore City Training School for Teachers closes. Their students are sent to MSNS, which effectively doubles the MSNS enrollment. Richmond Hall (dormitory) opens in September.
1927
Student newspaper is renamed The Towerlight. Members of the class of 1931 write a play, The Weavers of the Unbroken Thread, a history of intellectual thought and educational philosophy from Lao-tse to the 1940s.
1930-1939
1931
General Assembly increases the course of study from two to three years.
1933
New building opens to house the Campus Elementary (Model) School. The building is later named after Libertus van Bokkelen, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (1864–1867)
1934
Maryland State Board of Education extends the course of study for elementary teachers to 4 years, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Education.
1935
General Assembly changes name to Maryland State Teachers College at Towson. (STC) First Bachelor of Science degrees are conferred.
1936
Within 2 years of granting the B.S. degree, STC has achieved the necessary standards for accreditation by the American Association of Teachers Colleges and the American Council of Education.
1937
The Glen, a wooded area, is refurbished with stone pavilions and trails by the Works Progress Administration.
1938
M. Theresa Wiedefeld becomes the 7th President of the College.
1940-1949
1941
A history of STC entitled "Seventy-five Years of Teacher Education" is published.
1942
New gymnasium is completed. The building is later named Wiedefeld Gymnasium. (In 1968, it is razed to make way for a new library building).