Central Connecticut State University

Central Connecticut State University, established as the first public institution of higher education in Connecticut and credited with being the sixth normal school founded in the United States, will celebrate its sesquicentennial in 1999. Originally New Britain Normal School, it occupied two downtown sites from 1850 to 1923, when it was moved to its present site. In 1933, the Normal School became the Teachers College of Connecticut. It struggled through the 1930s and the war years before beginning its significant growth in the 1950s. By 1959, it had become a multi-purpose college and its name was changed to Central Connecticut State College. During the 1960s, the college tripled in size, and the enrollment approached 8,000 full-time students. With this growth came profound changes in practices and student behavior. In 1983, the further development of programs gave the college university status. Central Connecticut State University proposes to represent not only the physical growth of the institution but also to document the changes in attitudes, ideals, and styles during the 150-year period.