Carte de Visite photos of Brockport Faculty

Sometime in the 1870s a number of "carte de visite" photos were made of Brockport faculty. These sorts of photographs were very popular in that era, you have likely seen some, even if the name isn't familiar. They were simply small size photos, usually 2.5" x 4", mounted on card stock. Something similar in size to baseball cards for example. They were easy to send through the mail, they complemented the calling card expected in that era, and were widely used.

Some of those done of Brockport faculty over 125 years ago still survive, and are part of our archival collections. Pictured here is one of them, a portrait of Jane Lowery, who was a teacher of Mathematics and Latin here for many years, and was also an 1870 graduate of the school. Miss Lowery was much respected by her students and colleagues. An interesting personal note is that she was the sister in law of Charles MacLean, the principal of the school, and lived in what is now Alumni House with her sister and brother in law!

She was one of three teachers memorialized in a commemorative plaque dedicated in 1906. The plaque was in the old Normal school building, then Hartwell Hall, and was recently restored by Duncan Chase of the Art Department. An article in the Brockport Republic from 1906 on the plaque follows:

“The program at Normal Hall, Monday evening, marking the exercises of unveiling the portraits of Prof. McLean and Dr. Smith and the tablet in honor of Prof. Burlingame, Miss Chriswell and Miss Lowery were carried out in a most successful manner. Besides the speakers, the stage was occupied by the full Board of Trustees of the Normal school, the designer of the tablet and Principal McFarlane.

   The evening’s program was as follows: ‘Pilgrim’s Chorus,’ Dossenbach’s orchestra, Prof. McFarlane, after a few pertinent remarks explanatory of the occasion, introduced Rev. William D. Holt, of Cincinnati, O. Nr. Holt, who is a very is a very pleasant speaker, held the attention of the audience for about twenty minutes while he paid a glowing tribute to Prof. McLean who for thirty years was principal of the school. He gave many instances of the unbounded generosity of Prof. McLean, the assistance he rendered to many of the students, and the untiring work for the improvement of the school buildings, which now stand as an undying monument to his memory.

   Mr. Holt was followed by Miss Wadsworth, who rendered a piano solo, "Gondoliera,"in a faultless manner.

   The next address was by Hon. John D. Burns, who in his usual pleasant but forceful manner, spoke of Dr. Smith, who for three years was principal of the school. He recalled the great executive ability Dr. Smith brought to the school. He spoke of the strenuous efforts put forth by the gentleman for the betterment of the school and how they were crowned with success; of his genial nature, the making of his home a general reception room for the students where they might enjoy free converse. To such men, said the speaker, may be attributed the great success and popularity of the Brockport Normal School.

   An address by Mr. Thomas H. Armstrong, of Rochester, was replete with memories of the three teachers — Prof. Burlingame, Miss Chriswell, and Miss Lowery — who "died in the harness" after devoting many years to the service. "As we have watched the nation grow to be rich and powerful so have we watched this school grow to be one of the largest and most complete in existence," said the speaker. "And for this evident success we are indebted to the careful training and watchful care, the indefatigable patience and energy of such teachers as we have spoken of. We do not rank them as we would a soldier or hero, but as patriots in the great cause of education.”