Campus
History
History
A History of Buffalo State
In 1871, when the Buffalo Normal School opened its doors to its first class, the school's sole purpose was to train teachers to serve Buffalo's fast-growing student population in the public schools. Now the largest comprehensive four-year college in the State University of New York system, Buffalo State offers more than 140 academic programs and educates over 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. The college is known for its strong community connections and a continuing commitment to providing high-quality lifelong learning opportunities. A Carnegie Master's I institution, Buffalo State is one of 136 colleges and universities in the nation that are working together to enhance the practice and profession of teaching.
1871 On September 13, the first day of classes, the complement of the new normal school consists of 86 students (75 women, 11 men), Principal Henry B. Buckham, 15 faculty members, and 195 children in the School of Practice. All are housed in the three-story Victorian building at Jersey and 13th Streets (now Normal Avenue) on Buffalo's West Side.
1873 The first class graduates.
1888 To accommodate growing enrollment, a science building is constructed behind the school and connected to it by a second-floor bridge. The school is now called the State Normal and Training School.
1894 A separate residence is built for the principal, then James M. Cassety.
1895 The State Normal and Training School initiates a three-year primary and kindergarten course.
