In 1161 (the thirty-first year of Shaoxing in the southern Song Dynasty), Zhang Jun and his son Zhang Shi built Chengnan Academy.

In 1165 (the first year of Qiandao), Zhang Shi began his teaching career in this academy.

In 1180, with the collapse of the southern Song Dynasty, the once prominent academy became a temple in the Yuan Dynasty.

During the Ming Dynasty, the academy experienced ups and downs.

In 1507 (the second year of Zhengde), the two officials Wu Shizhong and Chen Fengwu made preparations for the academy’s repair. Later it was incorporated into the Prince Ji’s Mansion.

In 1563 (the forty-second year of Jiajing), the official ZhaiTai made further maintenance works to the academy.

In1578 (the sixth year of Wanli), it was destroyed.

In1820 (the twenty-fifth year of Jiaqing), the large-scale rebuilding work was under way at Miaogao Mountain modelling the academy’s original look and it came to a close in the cool days of 1822 ( the second year of Daoguang). At the same time, to memorize Zhang Shi, Nanxuan Master Shrine and Wenxing pavilion were added to the main building (now it is the position where the library of Hunan First Normal University sits).

In1903, The Chengnan Academy was renamed as Hunan Faculty of Education.

In1903, the name of the school was changed into Normal School in Hunan Province.

In1904, the name was Hunan Zhonglu Normal School.

In 1907, the name was Hunan Provincial Junior Normal School.

In 1912, the name was Hunan First Public Normal School.

In 1914, Hunan First Public Normal School and The Fourth Normal School of Hunan Province were incorporated into Hunan Provincial First Normal School.

In 1926, Hunan Provincial First Normal School was rebuilt as Hunan Provincial High School (Education Discipline).

In 1928, Hunan Provincial High School (Education Discipline) was renamed as Hunan Provincial High School (Teachers’ Discipline).

In 1929, the name was Hunan Provincial First Normal School.

In 1939, seven schools including Hunan Provincial First Normal School, Hunan Provincial First Middle School and Hunan Provincial Second Girls’ School were merged to build Hunan Provincial First Temporary Middle School.

In 1941, Hunan Provincial First Temporary Middle School was renamed as Hunan Provincial First Normal School.

In 1949, the name was Hunan First Normal School.

In 2000, Hunan First Normal School was upgraded to Hunan First Normal College.

In 2008, it was upgraded to Hunan First Normal University and had undergraduate admission.