Wilson Campus School. Collection, 1959-2002. MSU Archives Collection 307. 3 Records Center Cartons, 1 1/2 Hollinger Boxes, 1 Audio Cassette Box, 4 cubic feet.
The Wilson Campus School collection documents the history of the Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University, Mankato) laboratory school. Wilson was a K-12 public school sponsored by the college in conjunction with Mankato District #77. In 1968 it changed from a traditional to a non-traditional format. This collection primarily documents the non-traditional experience at Wilson Campus School. There is also information about the school, alumni, and faculty following the close of the school in the collection.
The Wilson Campus School, which was built on the new upper campus in 1959, was the laboratory school of Mankato State College. Prior to that time, the college elementary and secondary school was located on the original lower campus. The laboratory school at MSC was designed as a K-12, Mankato District 77 public school that offered MSC Education students opportunities for observing and student teaching.
Until 1968, Wilson Campus School was a traditional school. It offered courses and schedules similar to those found in other schools in the state. In the early sixties, student activities were expanded with the organization of music and athletic programs as well as Forensics, Drama, and Debate.
In 1968, significant change occurred at Wilson Campus School when it became a public non-traditional school. Led by Director, Don Glines, the school went to a 12-month schedule, no required classes or report cards, variable daily schedules, individual programs and curriculum, and multi-age activities to name a few of the changes. The school received national recognition when the National Observer wrote that Wilson was "probably one of the most innovative publicly funded schools in the country." Glines left the Wilson Campus School in 1972 to co-direct the Studios for Educational Alternatives (SEA) in the MSC College of Education
In 1974, the Minnesota Legislature decided to close the laboratory schools at all of the state colleges and the University of Minnesota, except the Wilson Campus School because of its unique, non-traditional format. That same year, the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Committee recommended the MSC Lower Campus be closed and the entire campus be located on the Highland (Upper) Campus. Despite much local (Mankato) protest, the State Legislature narrowly approved a recommendation to close the Mankato lab school and re-use the facility for university purposes. The Wilson Campus School closed in 1977.
Information for this note was obtained from the collection and
Faust, Claire. Mankato State University: The Second Century the First Twenty-Five Years, 1968-1992. Mankato: The University, 1992.
Orville Jensen, Instructor and Don Glines, Director, Wilson Campus School
The Wilson Campus School collection documents the history of the Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University, Mankato) laboratory school, a K-12 public school run by the college. In 1968, the school format changed from traditional to a nontraditional structure. This collection primarily documents the nontraditional experience at Wilson Campus School from 1968 to 1977, though information from the prior traditional years is also included.
Following the closing of the school, the records were dispersed among several individuals and institutions. The materials were gathered from these diverse locations in 2000 to create this collection. Additionally, personal recollections, research, and information about Wilson following the closing of the school were also maintained and included in the collection.
The Wilson Campus School collection is divided into several series and sub-series. Each series and sub-series is organized in alphabetical order.
Administration/Faculty: This series has been divided into six sub-series relating to the administration and faculty of the Wilson Campus School.
Miscellaneous: This series contains a variety of materials relating to the Wilson Campus School including brochures, photographs, and slides of students and their activities. The slide collection documents both the traditional and nontraditional school, dating from pre-1958 to 1976.
Student Activities/Parent Activities: This series reflects the activities of the Wilson Campus School students and their parents from 1963-1977.
Post Wilson Campus School Closing: This series includes information regarding Wilson alumni, faculty, and staff after the closing of the school. It also documents publications about the school published after 1977.
Video: This series contains videos about the Wilson Campus School. This series contains interview footage of Wilson alumni and faculty gathered by Kathleen Long as part of her dissertation research. There are also several professional and semi-professional videos of the history of the school.
Audio: This series contains audio recordings about the Wilson Campus School. This series contains interview footage of Wilson alumni, parents, and faculty gathered by Kathleen Long as part of her dissertation research. Some interviews are on micro-cassette.
There are no restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property and libel laws as they apply.
Wilson Campus School. Collection, 1959-2002. MSU Archives Collection 307, University Archives, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Materials in this collection were donated by Dr. Don Glines, Mr. Orville Jensen, Dr. Donald Darling, and the Minnesota State University, Mankato, College of Education from 1999-2002.
Daardi Sizemore processed this collection in June 2003.
Orchard, Jodi, 1957-. Papers, 1971-1976. SMHC Manuscript Collection 179. Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Westlund, Larry. Photographs, 1960s. MSU Archives Collection 306. University Archives, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Wilson Campus School Time Capsule. Collection, 1967. SMHC Manuscript Collection 224. Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Dr. Don E. Glines. Collection, 1964-2005. SMHC Manuscript Collection 229, Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Theses and Alternate Plan Papers about Wilson Campus School.
Wilson Campus School (Mankato, Minn.)
Mankato State College.
Alternative schools.
Educational change.
Educational innovations.
Education--Experimental methods.
Laboratory schools.
Open plan schools.
MSU Manuscript Collection 307 |
Box |
Folder |
Administrative/Faculty Series |
|
|
Advising/Evaluations Sub-Series |
|
|
Advising Program, 1970-1973 |
1 |
1 |
Student Evaluations and Progress report forms used by teachers, undated. |
1 |
2 |
Teacher Evaluation Forms used by students, 1974 |
1 |
3 |
Closing Information Sub-Series |
|
|
Closing Information, Correspondence, Memos, News clippings, 1975-1976 |
1 |
4 |
Closing Information, Correspondence, Memos, News clippings, Sept. 1975-February 1976 |
1 |
5 |
Closing Information, Correspondence, Memos, News clippings, Feb. 1976- June 1976 |
1 |
6 |
Closing Information, Reports, 1970-1977 |
1 |
7 |
Grade Placement Used for Transition to Other Schools, 1976-1977 |
1 |
8 |
Student records explanation and transfer information, 1976-1977 |
1 |
9 |
Student Records Information, 1976-1977 |
1 |
10 |
Student Records Transfer List, 1977-1978 |
1 |
11 |
Wilson Campus School Task Force, Documentation to keep the school open, 1975-1976 (Folder 1 of 2) |
1 |
12 |
Wilson Campus School Task Force, Documentation to keep the school open, 1975-1976 (Folder 2 of 2) |
1 |
13 |
Curriculum Sub-Series |
|
|
Curriculum Directory, 1974-1977 (Not allowed 1968-1973 while Glines was director) |
1 |
14 |
Curriculum Information, 1969 |
1 |
15 |
Curriculum/Schedule, 1972-1973 |
1 |
16 |
Math Games, 00001-15501, undated |
1 |
17 |
Math Games, 15502-589501, undated |
1 |
18 |
Math Games, M22501-M83303, undated |
1 |
19 |
Math Games, M50503-L81402, undated |
1 |
20 |
Metric Cookbook for Kids, 1975 |
1 |
21 |
Directors’ Sub-Series |
|
|
Annual Report, 1971-1976 |
1 |
22 |
Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Alternative Education, Final Report, April 1977 |
1 |
23 |
Class Roster, 1976-1977 |
1 |
24 |
Correspondence, 1970-1974 |
1 |
25 |
Correspondence from Educators about WCS, 1968-1973 |
1 |
26 |
Correspondence with Colleges about the admit ability of WCS graduates, 1969 |
1 |
27 |
Correspondence with Parents, 1968-1971 |
1 |
28 |
Descriptive Study of the Wilson Campus School Evaluation, 1969-1970 |
1 |
29 |
Directors Files, correspondence and staff memos, 1972-1973 |
1 |
30 |
Directors Files, correspondence and staff memos, 1973-1974 |
1 |
31 |
Directors Files, correspondence and staff memos, 1974-1975 |
1 |
32 |
Directors Files, staffing/directory information and correspondence and staff memos, 1973-1974 |
1 |
33 |
Directors Files, staffing/directory information and correspondence and staff memos, 1975-1976 (Restricted) |
1 |
34 |
Directors Files, staffing/directory information and correspondence and staff memos, 1976-1977 |
2 |
1 |
Directors Files, staffing/directory information, 1972-1973 |
2 |
2 |
Directors Files, staffing/directory information, 1974-1975 |
2 |
3 |
Faculty/Student Lists, 1968-1969 |
2 |
4 |
Faculty/Student Lists, 1970-1971 |
2 |
5 |
Faculty/Student Lists, 1971-1972 |
2 |
6 |
Faculty/Student Lists, 1976-1977 |
2 |
7 |
Graduation Requirements, 1971 |
2 |
8 |
Mexican Student Exchange, 1969-1976 |
4 |
1 |
News Releases, 1968-1973 |
2 |
9 |
Program Review for WCS, 1973-1974 |
2 |
10 |
Report of a Review of WCS prepared by a Presidential Committee of Mankato State College, 1970 |
2 |
11 |
Report on a Trip to WCS, by Gerald Giles, 1970 |
2 |
12 |
Staff Bulletin, “Purple Plague,” 1968-1972 |
2 |
13 |
Staff Bulletin, “Purple Plague,” undated |
2 |
14 |
Staff Bulletin, January-June 1972 |
2 |
15 |
Staffing/directory information 1969-1970 |
2 |
16 |
Student Social Service Program, 1974 |
2 |
17 |
Summer School, 1971 (All Year School- Reference to Summer School was for MSC student teachers only) |
2 |
18 |
Summer School, 1972 (All Year School- Reference to Summer School was for MSC student teachers only) |
2 |
19 |
Summer School, 1973 (All Year School- Reference to Summer School was for MSC student teachers only) |
2 |
20 |
Wilson Concept , 1975-1976 (Missing volume/issue 2/4 and 3/1) |
4 |
2 |
Wilson Steering Committee Minutes, 1970 |
2 |
21 |
Year Round School Information, 1969 |
2 |
22 |
School of Education Sub-Series |
|
|
Campus Study Phase II, Mankato State College, 1975 |
2 |
23 |
Educational Futures Proposals at MSU, 1971 |
2 |
24 |
Experimental and Alternative Undergraduate Education (includes Studios for Educational Alternatives), 1972-1974 |
2 |
25 |
Impact of the Wilson Campus School on Teacher Education, Report to the State College Board, 1975 |
2 |
26 |
Lower Campus Study Mankato State College, 1974 |
2 |
27 |
“ Mankato State College School Library Media Education Program Report,” by Gabriel D. Ofiesh, 1971 |
2 |
28 |
Mankato Statement, 197? |
2 |
29 |
Mankato Statement, 1973 (summer and fall) |
2 |
30 |
Mankato Statement, 1974 |
2 |
31 |
Mankato Statement, 1975 |
2 |
32 |
Mankato Statement, 1976 |
2 |
33 |
Mankato Statement, 1977 (pages 2-3 only) |
2 |
34 |
State Laboratory School Study Information, 1970 |
2 |
35 |
Publications and Presentations Sub Series |
|
|
Articles about Wilson Campus School, 1969-1977 |
4 |
6 |
Book, Glines, Don. Educational Futures III: Change and Reality. Views Toward Educational Reform-Another Eight Year Study: The Mankato Wilson Story. Millville, MN: Anvil Press, 1978. |
2 |
36 |
Book, Glines, Don. Implementing Different and Better Schools. (Revised Edition) Mankato, MN: Campus Publishers, 1969. |
2 |
37 |
Book, Glines, Don. Creating Humane Schools. (Expanded Supplementary Edition) North Mankato, MN: D.M. Printing, 1973. |
2 |
38 |
News clippings, Athletics, 1969-1972 |
2 |
39 |
News clippings, Opinion Articles, 1969-1977 and undated |
4 |
3 |
News clippings, Selective Educational Alternatives, 1970-1973 |
2 |
40 |
News clippings, WCS, 1967-1977 |
4 |
4 |
Speeches/Presentations by Don Glines about WCS, 1969-1973 |
2 |
41 |
Miscellaneous Series |
|
|
Brochures, 1973-1974 |
2 |
42 |
Building Layout, 1971 |
2 |
43 |
Photograph, Don Glines, 1968 |
2 |
44 |
Photograph, Girls Volleyball Team, undated |
2 |
45 |
Photographs, Students, c.1970 |
2 |
46 |
Photographs, Summer School, 1967 (Includes Time Capsule) |
2 |
47 |
Prospective Student Packet, 1973-1977 |
2 |
48 |
School Mascot Stickers, undated |
2 |
49 |
Slides, Athletics, 1968-1977 |
2 |
50 |
Slides, Faculty, 1960-1975 |
2 |
51 |
Slides, Lower Campus Lab School, pre 1959 |
2 |
52 |
Slides, Miscellaneous Subjects, 1968-1971 |
3 |
1 |
Slides, Miscellaneous Subjects, 1972-1976 |
3 |
2 |
Slides, WCS, 1959 |
3 |
3 |
Slides, WCS, 1962-1964 |
3 |
4 |
Slides, WCS, 1966-1967 |
3 |
5 |
Slides, “The Wilson Story, 1991 (Slides from 1968-1973) Accompanied by audiocassette narrated by Don Glines |
3 |
6 |
Slides, “The Wilson Story,” Supplemental Slides, 3, 1991 (Slides from 1968-1973) |
3 |
7 |
Slides, “The Wilson Story,” Supplemental Slides, 4, 1991 (Slides from 1968-1973) |
3 |
8 |
Slides, “The Wilson Story,” Supplemental Slides, 5, 1991 (Slides from 1968-1973) |
3 |
9 |
Student Directory, 1967-1968 |
3 |
10 |
Student Activities/Parent Activities Series |
|
|
Commencement Programs, 1969 and 1972 |
3 |
11 |
Honors Assembly Programs, 1963- |
3 |
12 |
Musical Brochures, undated |
3 |
13 |
Plain Rapper , 1969-1971 |
3 |
14 |
Report to Parent Advisory Board by Wayne B. Jennings, 1974 |
3 |
15 |
T.E.A.M. Information, undated |
3 |
16 |
Whodunit , 1974 and 1977 |
3 |
17 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk, 1964 |
3 |
18 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk, 1966 |
3 |
19 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk, 1967 (3) |
3 |
20 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk 1968 (2) |
3 |
21 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk, 1970 |
3 |
22 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk, 1972 (2) |
3 |
23 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk, 1973 (2) |
3 |
24 |
Yearbook, Tomahawk, 1974 (2) |
3 |
25 |
Yearbook, Last Picture Show, 1976 |
3 |
26 |
Post Wilson Campus School Closing Series |
|
|
Articles about WCS, (Unpublished Versions), 1990s |
3 |
27 |
Articles about WCS, 1978-2001 |
3 |
28 |
Book, Glines, Don. Creating Educational Futures: Continuous Mankato Wilson Alternatives. San Diego: National Association for Year-Round Education, 1995. |
3 |
29 |
Correspondence to WCS Faculty and Staff, 1977-1983 |
3 |
30 |
News clippings, WCS (Post Closing). 1994-2000 |
4 |
5 |
Photographs and Slides of Faculty, 1980s-1990s |
3 |
31 |
Staff Members List, 1959-1977 (Compiled in 1989) |
3 |
32 |
WCS Alumni Roster used for 2000 All-School Reunion, 2000 |
3 |
33 |
WCS List of Graduates, Year Graduated and Directory Information, 1989 |
3 |
34 |
Wilson Campus School : Remembered Video Documentation, 1992-2002 |
3 |
35 |
Wilson Experience Video Documentation, undated |
3 |
36 |
Video Series |
|
|
Corner of the Rainbow: Mankato Wilson Campus School , 1977 |
5 |
1 |
Corner of the Rainbow: Mankato Wilson Campus School , 1977 and Glenn Kirchner Film, 1971 (narrated by Don Glines, 1991) |
5 |
2 |
Corner of the Rainbow: Mankato Wilson Campus School , 1977 (Master) |
5 |
3 |
Don Glines on Wilson Campus School, undated |
5 |
4 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, 1991 (Don Glines, Gail Palmer, Rosemary Doescher, Glenn Erikson, Orville Jensen, Lew Holden, Jo Lawson) Part 1 of 2 |
5 |
5 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, 1991 (Don Glines, Gail Palmer, Rosemary Doescher, Glenn Erikson, Orville Jensen, Lew Holden, Jo Lawson) Part 2 of 2 |
5 |
6 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, 1991 (Rosemary Doescher) |
5 |
7 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, 1992 (Cheryl Kalakian, Gene Broughten, Larry Herke, James Nickerson, Eileen Wells-Student) |
5 |
8 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, 1992 (Curtis Hatfield-Student, Lew Holden, Glenn Erikson, Orville Jensen, Evelyn Hatfield-Parent) |
5 |
9 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, 1992 (Karen MacDonald, Rosemary Doescher, Lew Holden, Glenn Erikson) |
5 |
10 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, 1992 (Larry Herke, Cheryl Kalakian, Gene Broughten, Joel Jensen-Student) |
5 |
11 |
Mankato Wilson Campus School : Remembered , 1992 (40 minutes) and Don Glines: Welcome for Wilson Visitors, 1972 (35 minutes) |
5 |
12 |
Mankato Wilson Campus School : Remembered , 1992 (First Cut) |
5 |
13 |
Mankato Wilson Campus School : Remembered , 2002 (53 minutes) |
5 |
14 |
Mexican Exchange Program Slides by Glenn Erikson, undated (19 minutes) |
5 |
15 |
Wilson Experience , 1994 (15 minutes) |
5 |
16 |
Wilson Student Music Composition, undated (3 minutes) |
5 |
17 |
Wilson Video Slide Presentation, undated (36 minutes) |
5 |
18 |
Audio Series |
|
|
Audio Letter from Don Glines to Paul ?, Orville Jensen, Don Sorensen about Video Project, 1992 |
6 |
1 |
Greetings to Don Glines from the Wilson Gang, 1973? |
6 |
2 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Brendan McDonald, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, MSU, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
3 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Chris Halcum?, Opportunity Center, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
4 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Dan Beebe, Wilson Faculty, 1990 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
5 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Don Glines, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
6 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Don Glines, Wilson Faculty, 1991 “Imagineering, Key to Education Futures” (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
7 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Gail Palmer, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
8 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Glenn Erikson, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
9 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Jo Lawson, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Sides 1 and 2) (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
10 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Jo Lawson, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Sides 3 and 4) (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
11 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Larry Herke and Mark Shuck, Wilson Faculty, 1990 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
12 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Lew Holden, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
13 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Orville Jensen, Gail Palmer, Glenn Erikson, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
14 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Orville Jensen, Wilson Faculty, 1991 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
15 |
Kathleen Long Interviews, Wayne Jennings, St. Paul Open School, 1990 (Micro-Cassette) |
6 |
16 |
Science Lesson (Insects), 1967 (Traditional Wilson) |
6 |
17 |
Science Lesson (Insects), 1967 (Traditional Wilson) (Reel-to-Reel) |
6 |
18 |
Staff Meeting on forming a Hamburger Cooperative, undated |
6 |
19 |
Staff Meeting on Social Services, undated |
6 |
20 |
Staff Meeting on Wilson Operation, undated |
6 |
21 |
Staff Meeting, 1973 |
6 |
22 |
Time Capsule Burial, Drug Education Class, Musical Rehearsal, 1967 (Traditional Wilson) |
6 |
23 |
Time Capsule Burial, Drug Education Class, Musical Rehearsal, 1967 (Traditional Wilson) (Reel-to-Reel) |
6 |
24 |
Wilson Campus School Visitors Tape, 1972 |
6 |
25 |
“Wilson Story,” Wilson Campus School Slide Narration by Don Glines, 1991 (Tray 1 and 2) |
6 |
26 |
Wilson Story, undated |
6 |
27 |
