I actually get to do something pretty fun with my history project, and I will examine the building I’ve had a majority of my classes, the current home of the School of Business, van den Berg Hall. van den Berg is the second oldest building on campus, only behind Old Main (1909). As many would know, the educational institution now known as SUNY New Paltz was founded in 1828. At the time, it existed as the New Paltz Charter School. In 1933, it became New Paltz Academy, and then in 1885, the New Paltz Normal School was founded. New Paltz Normal existed as a school and training program / facility for young professionals and high school graduates to learn to become teachers. The school’s principals may sound familiar; Eugene Bouton (1886-1889), Frank S. Capen (1889-1899), Myron T. Scudder (1899-1908), John C. Bliss (1908-1923), Lawrence H. van den Berg (1923-1942).

Lawrence H. van den Berg circa 1923 – when he was appointed principal of New Paltz Normal

At varying times during the first 45 years of its existence, New Paltz Normal grew and expanded, but during the 1920s, there became a need for a new training facility. In 1929, Principal van den Berg approved the architectural design for a new school. As perhaps one of the most interesting events attached to this story, a ceremony was held for the breaking of ground on this new project in October of 1930. The speaker at this event was Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt (who actually had trouble getting in as the crowd was so large in size). In 1932, this new school opened its doors, and in May of 1934, it officially became the Lawrence H. van den Berg School of Practice. The program offered slowly began to evolve as the improvements to the training process were implemented, and students began attending classes at the New Paltz State Teachers College. This new entity was founded in 1942, and van den Berg was the first president. Six years later, New Paltz was one of the founding members of the SUNY system. This new program served as a school for students ranging from Nursery school ages all the way through eighth grade. In 1982, the van den Berg school closed its doors to students, as the final graduation was held that June. In 1990, van den Berg Hall became an academic building under the umbrella of SUNY New Paltz, housing the School of Business. In May of 1990, there was a fire in the clock tower that caused damage in the building, but this was limited due to the fire retardant nature of the metal roof of the building. It is important to note that in the history of SUNY New Paltz (dating back to 1828), the primary building housing its programs had experienced severe fire damage, so it is likely the metal roof was planned as a precautionary measure to avoid a third occurrence. The new clock tower was installed in 2005.

A photo of the front of van den Berg Hall – the home of the School of Business

An old photo of the van den Berg School of Practice, featuring a view of Hasbrouck Park, where children are ice skating… Not something seen there anymore

I feel as if this is an interesting quick look into the history of New Paltz’s overarching higher education programs, and specifically at the history of the building in which I spend most of my class time. Moving forward in my research, I am fascinated to determine a few things, including all of the renovations in van den Berg, from classrooms, to the programs offered, to the construction of the VH annex, and the clock tower installation. Additionally, I’d like to look into the gap of work between 1982 and 1990. Fascinatingly enough, my father graduated from the School of Business, he describes in its infancy, and he states that he took a bulk of his classes in van den Berg during 1988 and 1989, which is inconsistent with my research. I suspect one of two things, 1) there happened to be a small window of time in which SUNY New Paltz classes were being held in van den Berg Hall, but prior to van den Berg becoming an actual “campus building,” or 2) my research is wrong. I’d obviously be hoping for the former, as that would be more interesting anyway. Additionally, I’d like to know when the name changed from School of Practice to Hall; I suspect this would be when VH became a SUNY New Paltz academic building, but that is certainly something I’d like to confirm.  I find there’s still a lot to be discovered, but it’s certainly exciting to get a closer look at van den Berg and SUNY New Paltz this way.