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Home > Special Collections > College Archives > College Photos > Group and Events Photos > Classes Photos

Classes Photos

The first Bridgewater College students were the students of the Spring Creek Normal School. Founded in Spring Creek, Virginia, by Daniel C. Flory, the school was rooted in the Church of the Brethren with all learners welcome. There were five male students and one female student when the school first opened for a regular term in September 1880. As more students enrolled, the 1880-81 session grew to four women and twenty-five men. The first students were from the surrounding counties of Virginia and from West Virginia.

By September of 1882 the school was moved four miles east to Bridgewater, Virginia, and bore the name Virginia Normal School. After some time in rented quarters, funds were raised to buy land in the spring of 1883 and begin building a permanent campus that summer. Enrollment grew during most sessions of the Virginia Normal School, with students coming from twenty Virginia counties and eight states. 160 students were enrolled in the 1888-1889 session.

The first graduates of Bridgewater College are considered to be Daniel B. Garber, Kittie Danner and William K. Franklin. The two men and one woman received their Bachelors of English degree in June 1886.

Bridgewater College gained its current name in July 1889. The name change was partly inspired by the number of students taking the “Classical course” for a B.A., degree, which was different than the early “normal” or public education teacher focus. The College first conferred the B.A. degree in May, 1891.

Not all early Bridgewater College students graduated with a B.A. or B.E. degree. The College operated several courses and schools, some administered by their own management and with their own faculty. These included the Bridgewater Business College (The Commercial Department), a Music Department, a Bible Department and an Art Department. A two-year college preparatory Bridgewater Academy was also a separate school as was a Primary Department, which educated local children and children of the faculty from 1886 - 1913. Finally, the College offered a teacher’s “normal” or training class each summer and held an annual Bible Term.

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  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of students and employees forming a human BC, 1990s by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of students and employees forming a human BC, 1990s

  • Bridgewater College, An unidentified awards ceremony, probably 1960s by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, An unidentified awards ceremony, probably 1960s

  • Bridgewater College, Class of 1915 group portrait, undated by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Class of 1915 group portrait, undated

  • Bridgewater College, Group portrait of the BC or Preparatory Department Class of 1923, undated by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Group portrait of the BC or Preparatory Department Class of 1923, undated

  • Bridgewater College, Group portrait of the Class of 1924, undated by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Group portrait of the Class of 1924, undated

  • Bridgewater College, Students crossing a parking lot, late 1970s by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Students crossing a parking lot, late 1970s

  • Bridgewater College, Students on the steps of Memorial Hall, late 1970s by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Students on the steps of Memorial Hall, late 1970s

  • Bridgewater College, Women students from the Class of 1939, undated by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Women students from the Class of 1939, undated

  • Bridgewater College, Portrait of a group of seniors, 1995 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Portrait of a group of seniors, 1995

  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of Jeffrey Miller and other graduates, 9 May 1993 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of Jeffrey Miller and other graduates, 9 May 1993

  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of Stephanie Coffman and unidentified students at graduation, 9 May 1993 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of Stephanie Coffman and unidentified students at graduation, 9 May 1993

  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of students assembling for the graduation rehearsal, 8 May 1993 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of students assembling for the graduation rehearsal, 8 May 1993

  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of students carrying flags at the front of the graduation line, 9 May 1993 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of students carrying flags at the front of the graduation line, 9 May 1993

  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of students in line for graduation rehearsal, 8 May 1993 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of students in line for graduation rehearsal, 8 May 1993

  • Bridgewater College, Class of 1991 forming a large 91, 30 Jan 1991 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Class of 1991 forming a large 91, 30 Jan 1991

  • Bridgewater College, Group portrait of the Class of 1988 class officers, circa 1988 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Group portrait of the Class of 1988 class officers, circa 1988

  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of Carol Hipps playing piano at a coffeehouse, 31 March 1986 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of Carol Hipps playing piano at a coffeehouse, 31 March 1986

  • Bridgewater College, Seniors planting a tree, their College Gift, May 1986 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Seniors planting a tree, their College Gift, May 1986

  • Bridgewater College, Three students talking with Dr. James Eaton, May 1986 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Three students talking with Dr. James Eaton, May 1986

  • Bridgewater College, Photograph of Kevin Bailey and Tyler Hudgins playing at an ice cream social, Sept 1985 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Photograph of Kevin Bailey and Tyler Hudgins playing at an ice cream social, Sept 1985

 
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