Sarah Richmond

Sarah Richmond

Sarah E. Richmond was a graduate of the first class of the Maryland State Normal School (MSNS). With prior teaching experience and the completion of her required training at, she became a mathematics and geometry professor at MSNS. In 1872, she became Vice Principal, and then the 4th Principal of the MSNS in 1909, making her the first female leader of the school. She was also named the first female President of the Maryland State Teachers’ Association.  

While acting as Principal, she led the school's relocation from Baltimore City to its current location in Towson, Maryland. Amongst the reasons for the relocation were to adapt to the growing student population and provide access to the county's greenspace. 

After Richmond resigned as Principal, she became the very first Dean of Students in 1916. She passed away in 1921, and Richmond Hall, one of the first residence buildings on campus, was named after her.  

 

Read more about Sarah Richmond in a blog post about her life.

Explore the Sarah Elizabeth Richmond records. 

This wiki entry was created in collaboration with Lily Chesgreen, a summer 2023 intern in Towson University’s Special Collections and University Archives department, and student at Notre Dame Preparatory high school in Towson, Maryland. If you have feedback on the content, please contact us through email (scua@towson.edu).