MCLA Blog

NORTH ADAMS, MA – Local resident Doris Anthony brought a piece of history home to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Wednesday when she donated a rare photograph of the first faculty of what was then the North Adams Normal School to the Freel Library.

Taken in the late 1890s, the photograph depicts Principal Frank Murdock, for whom Murdock Hall was named; math, music and language instructor Annette M. Bartlett; science professor Roland W. Guss; and Mary A. Pearson, who taught art at the College.

Anthony’s mother, Edith Irene Bishop, was a member of the first College class of 1897. Anthony, 95, said the photograph was something she had seen around her family home her entire life.

“I have wanted to donate it for quite a long time, but I didn’t know who to get in touch with. I was tempted to just put it in an envelope and send it,” Anthony said.

MCLA Librarian Susan Denault said the photograph was unique because those in it were identified on the back. However, it is not certain where it was taken.

“We think they’re having a picnic lunch, but we just don’t know where it is,” Denault said.

Librarian Linda Kaufmann said MCLA was trying to collect everything connected to the College and that she hoped Anthony’s gift would lead to more.

Already, Anthony’s donation inspired another to the College: Alumna Anne Nelson, who drove Anthony to the library to make her donation, gave the library her 1954 College scrapbook.

MCLA originally was established as a teachers’ college in 1897, when it was called North Adams Normal School. For more information or to make a donation, (413) 662-5325.