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George L. Maris Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 028
This collection contains two series.

Series 1: Administrative Papers contains correspondence and reports from between the years 1877 and 1880 during Maris’s tenure as principal.

Series 2: Samuel Martin Fund includes correspondence, applications, and announcements relating to the scholarship granted to West Chester students.

Dates

  • 1887 - 1913

Creator

Extent

2 Boxes

Overview

George L. Maris (1842-1921) served as President of West Chester State Normal School from 1873-1881. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan who began his teaching career in Chester County, PA. He served as Superintendent of Chester County’s public schools until he was appointed principal at WCSNS.

This collection contains some administrative correspondence as well as annual reports submitted to the WCSNS Board of Directors. Also included are several files containing correspondence and applications for the Samuel Martin Fund, a West Chester State Normal School scholarship which Maris jointly managed with Henry P. Sharpless and William M. Hayes in the years following his stint as principal.

Biographical / Historical

George L. Maris was born in Chester County, PA in 1842. He was educated at the public schools of West Vincent Township, at West Chester Academy, and eventually at the University of Michigan, where he earned his degree in 1867. He began his career by teaching for two years in Upper Uwchlan Township, and for four years at West Chester Academy. In 1869 married Annie M. Pinkerton and was also elected Superintendent of the Public Schools of Chester County. In his new position, Maris systematized local institutes throughout the county; organized conventions of school directors for consultation; and established the office of County Superintendent of Public Schools.

In 1873, Maris succeeded William A. Chandler as Principal of West Chester State Normal School. In the summer of 1881, Maris left the Normal School to accept a professorship at Swarthmore College. He would continue his career as the Principal of the Boys' Department of the Friends' Central High School in Philadelphia and later as the first Principal of the George School in Newtown, PA.

Arrangement

SERIES 1, ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERS, 1877-1880 SERIES 2, SAMUEL MARTIN FUND
Title
George L. Maris Collection
Status
in_progress
Author
Ron McColl; Jesse Brody
Date
2018-02-15
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
English

Repository Details

Part of the West Chester University Archives Repository

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