It has been a while since I have written anything about the Normal Woods, or early student entertainment, and I came across some information from 100 years ago and thought you might like reading about it.
The Normal Woods were south of UCA off Donaghey and is the area just across Dave Ward Drive. Business buildings are now located in that area, but in 1917 it was heavily wooded. Students, faculty, and staff made use of the Normal Woods on a regular basis. Walking was the way in which most people traveled to the woods, and they would usually walk in groups.
The Normal Woods was the scene of many bonfires. Bonfires provided the light for other activities such as plays, choral singing groups, initiations for literary societies and later for sororities and fraternities. In 1917, it was a magical and special place for students to go, and get away from school work.
According to The Normal Echo of October 26, 1917, “An initiation service rendered in the woods around our campfire leaves in our minds pleasant memories of our formal entrance into the society, that will follow us through the time when our school days are over. It is a pleasure to have with us representatives of our sisters and brothers from the other societies of the Normal School. We greatly appreciate the presence of those members of the faculty whose duties allow them to respond to our invitation.”
A women’s literary society, the Nikatima Literary Society, conducted their initiation for new members in the Normal Woods. There were only three buildings on campus at that time, the first building that was later called the E.E. Cordrey Science Building, Doyne Hall – residence hall for women, and the Green Building – the model school building. But, the Normal Woods was deemed at the time a more appropriate setting for the initiation ceremony.
According to The Normal Echo, “Therefore, last Friday afternoon when the bell rang for dismissal, all Nikatima girls, some members of the faculty and presidents of other organizations in the school, threw aside the cares and responsibilities of the classroom and donned their sporting togs to enjoy an hour of recreation in the woods. When we reached the grove which we call the “Normal Woods,” we found a campfire laid and ready for business. Merrymaking began immediately. No one was allowed to stay out of the games. Mr. Short and Mr. Denney were kept busy and Mr. Coolidge, our new acquisition to the faculty, was introduced to the delights of Normal Autumnal festivities.”
After the induction of the new members into the Nikatima Literary Society, songs were sung and a charge was given by Miss Mattie Brown, the president of Nikatima and the first person to graduate from Arkansas State Normal School (now the University of Central Arkansas) with a four-year degree.
According to The Normal Echo, “The Nikatima song, ‘Sisters we stand Nikatima!’ yells for the new girls, visitors and faculty, the program ended with the singing of our beloved ‘Normal School.’ Nineteen girls were formally made Nikatimas and we believe that they are strong and enthusiastic and ready to live up to our ideals.”
The Normal School song that the women sang was sung to the tune of “Maryland, My Maryland,” and was written by UCA’s first president, J.J. Doyne. It first appeared in The Normal Echo of May – June 1912. The three verses are as follows:
Thou art my Alma Mater dear,
Normal School, my Normal School!
Thy mem’ry I shall e’er revere,
Normal School, my Normal School!
My steps may wander far from thee;
Thy walls I never more may see;
Yet in my heart enshrined thou’lt be;
Normal School, my Normal School.
Thine inspiration through the years,
Normal School, my Normal School!
Shall brighten hopes and banish fears,
Normal School, my Normal School!
How can I prove to thee untrue;
While former scenes pass in review;
And bring to mind thy charms anew;
Normal School, my Normal School?
Thy purple deep and silver gray,
Normal School, my Normal School!
Aptly thy sterling worth portray,
Normal School, my Normal School!
The bow of promise spans thy sky;
To thee new strength the years supply;
Proudly aloft thy banners fly;
Normal School, my Normal School.