PERU, Neb. (WOWT) - On this day in 1867, the “Nebraska State Normal School,” as it was known then, held its first day of classes.

The Nebraska Historical Society says 32 students gathered 158 years ago in the school’s only building — sitting on 50 acres of land.

The school’s purpose was to train young people “in the arts of teaching.” It was the only teaching school in the state for the next 38 years.

The school was renamed Peru State Teacher’s College in 1949, and dropped “teachers” from its name in 1963.

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