Interesting Tidbits

The University of Maine at Presque Isle has an interesting history, one that is diverse, yet complex in consideration of all its parts. Following are some interesting facts that either did not fit in any specific topics that this compilation of history has covered, or that I feel deserve repetition.

Did you know that.....

• This school has undergone 4 different changes in its name since its first name:
  1. Opened in 1903 as Aroostook State Normal School
  2. Changed to Aroostook State Teacher's College in 1952
  3. Changed to Aroostook State College in 1965
  4. Changed to Aroostook State College of the University of Maine in 1968
  5. Changed to the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1970

• In the early stages of this school, students and faculty would all take trips together. On these outings, they would go hiking, canoeing, or they would have a picnic.
  

• When San Lorenzo Merriman was principal, the school raised its own food, including garden vegetables, cows, sheep, and chickens.
  

• Preble Hall used to be called the Administration Building? In addition, it once was home to classrooms, the library, and the school gymnasium before Wieden Hall was built.

• Normal Hall is the oldest remaining building? It was built in 1905 and was a dormitory.

• This school had a Football team for men?

• UMPI had a Field Hockey team for women?

• The original ASNS building was the St. John's Episcopal School for Boys before it was shut down and was eventually turned into ASNS? That building burned down in 1923.

• The word "Salmagundi," the name of the school yearbook was the name of an old Dutch recipe that was a mixture of ingredients? The word was reinterpreted to mean "a mixture of things" and it was thought a perfect name for a yearbook, since that is what the yearbook consists of, "a mixture of things."

• In 1918 ASNS was closed down because of a flu epidemic? The dormitory was used as a hospital for townspeople who had the flu.

• During World War II, ASNS was closed down as a school and used by the Federal Government for military housing? Barracks were built behind Preble Hall in order to provide more living space.

• UMPI had a tennis team?

• There used to be tennis courts between Wieden and South Halls?

Page created by: Lynda C. Stawasz
Page Updated: May 6, 1998
Library Web Pages Maintained by: Eric Brissette