Principal William S. Picken records

Sub-Group

Identifier: RG-01-001.001

Scope and Contents

This record group consists of legal documents, correspondence, course descriptions, meeting minutes, and other materials relating to the activities of William S. Picken while he served as the first principal of the Western Branch of the Kansas State Normal School from 1902 to 1913. Also included are land leases, correspondence, blueprints, and legal documents dating from 1868 to 1937 concerning the oil, gas, and mineral rights of the lands of the former military reservation at Fort Hays. The collection also includes correspondence with Picken's granddaughter, Ruth Lillian Picken Nethercott, dating from 1976 and a speech delivered by President Hammond in 1999 upon the rededication of Picken Hall.

Dates

Creation: 1868 - 1976
Creation: Majority of material found within 1902 - 1913

Creator

Picken, William Samuel (1862-1926) (Creator, Person)
Fort Hays State University (1902-Present) (Host institution, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Written permission must be obtained from the Fort Hays State University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Administrative Biography

Principal William Samuel Picken was appointed by President J. N. Wilkinson of the Kansas State Normal School in Emporia to develop the Western Branch of the Kansas State Normal School on the site of a former military reservation at Fort Hays. The land was granted to Kansas through an Act of Congress on March 28, 1900. Picken developed the initial curriculum, assisted with repairs of the military buildings, and welcomed the first 34 students who enrolled at Hays on the first day of instruction on June 23, 1902. The first instructors consisted of Picken, Miss Anna Keller, and J. E. Crawford, superintendent of schools for Hays City. Picken came to Hays from the Normal School in Emporia, where he taught history and Latin. He is recognized as the first president of the teachers college at Fort Hays. He resigned in the spring of 1913 following administrative changes to the Kansas state educational institutions. Picken Hall was named in his honor in 1909. He died on October 26, 1926.

Full Extent

0.21 Linear Feet (1 letter-sized document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This record group contains records created during the administration of William S. Picken (1902-1913), who served as the first principal of the Western Branch of the Kansas State Normal School, as well as documents relating to the establishment of a branch the State Normal School in Hays City, Kansas.

Arrangement

This record group consists of one box. Materials were arranged prior to transfer to the University Archives.

Bibliography

Forsythe, James L.. Lighthouse on the Plains: Fort Hays State University, 1902–2002. Fort Hays State University, 2002.
Wooster, Lyman D.. Fort Hays Kansas State College: An Historical Story. Fort Hays State University, 1961.

Processing Information

Records from the Office of the President were grouped topically by administration prior to processing. Some materials created by other administrations may be present in this record group.