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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 347 887 HE 025 650 AUTHOR Gill, Wanda E. The History of Maryland's Historically Black TITLE Colleges. PUB DATE 92 NOTE 57p. PUB TYPE Historical MatPrials (060) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Black Colleges; Black History; Black Students; *Educational History; Higher Education; Racial Bias; Racial Segregation; School Desegregation; State Colleges; State Legislation; State Universities; Whites *African Americans; Bowie State College MD; Coppin IDENTIFIERS State College MD; *Maryland; Morgan State University MD; University of Maryland Eastern Shore ABSTRACT This paper presents a history of four historically Black colleges in Maryland: Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. The history begins with a section on the education of Blacks before 1800, a period in which there is little evidence of formal education for African Americans despite the presence of relatively large numbers of free Blacks thronghout the state. A section on the education of Blacks from 1800 to 1900 describes the first formal education of Blacks, the founding of the first Black Catholic order of nuns, and the beginning of higher education in the state after the Civil War. There follow sections on each of the four historically Black institutions in Maryland covering the founding and development of each, and their responses to social changes in the 1950s and 1960s. A further chapter describes the development and manipulation of the Out of State Scholarship Fund which was established to fund Black students who wished to attend out of state institutions for courses offered at the College Park, Maryland campus and other White campuses from which they were barred. Included are a timeline of important events in higher education for Blacks in Maryland and 35 references. (JB) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * * ******************************************************************** The History of Maryland's Historically Black Colleges by Waida E. Gill, Ed.D. U.S. IMPARTMENT OF EDUCATION "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS Office of Educationel Research end Immoyement MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION Wanda E. Gill CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it 0 Minor Chanel hays wen made to improve MPfeduction evality t, I Points of view of OpuntOntslalso in this docu- TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES mint do not niceaSarsly represent official OERI position or policy INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." env mu init -111MT Preface Maryland's four historically blac% colleges have contributed significantly to the education of African Americans in Maryland Bowie State University, Coppin State College, and in the nation. Morgan State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore have significantly impacted on the pool of African American Through curriculum and governance changes, these professionals. institutions have survived and thrived to experience enrollment increases at a time when other area institutions ars experiencing The history of these institutions, from enrollment declines. segregated beginnings, give insight into the strategies needed for survival. The librarians and archivists at all four institutions were helpful in locating early manuscripts for this publication. Mrs. Courtney Funn of Bowie State University, and Ms. Melanie Gardner, former Archivist at Bowie State University, were especially helpful. Ms. Lauren Boccabello and Ms. Lawanda Michelle Williams They are to be commended for typed and edited the manuscript. their thoroughness. This article is dedicated to Candace Ellen and Kimberly Lea Gill, my daughters, who today profit from the classes they pursue at Bowie State University. Wanda E. Gill, Ed.D. 3 a Table of Contents Preface i The Education of Blacks in Maryland Prior to 1800 4 The Education of Blacks in Maryland from 1800-1900 8 Bowie State University 11 Coppin State College 21 Morgan State University 32 The University of Maryland Eastern Shore 38 The Out of State Scholarship Fund 44 Events Impacting on Higher Education 49 Timeline: for Blacks in Maryland References 54 THE EDUCATION OF BLACKS IN MARYLAND PRIOR TO 1800 elected and paid Even though freedmer of St. Mary's County 1664, there is no other expenses for four burgesses as early as There is little Maryland.' evidence of any formal education in in evidence of any educational efforts for African Americans numbers of Maryland prior to 1800 despite the presence of large Yet, there were no laws free Blacks throught c. the state. in prohibiting the education of Blacks in Maryland as there were in Talbot Rev. Thomas Bacon began a school many other states. In 1800, there Blacks.2 County for orphans, poor children and slaves and 19,587 were a total of 125,522 Blacks; 105,935 were Negroes The largest number and peicentage of free were free.3 Kent Dorchester County. were in Baltimore City followed by Baltimore County, County, Queen Anne County, Harford County, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County had populations of free Blacks numbering over 1,000 (Table A). 'Archives of Maryland (1) Proceedings and Acts of the Assc. bly, Historical Society, William January 1637 - September 1664, Maryland Hand Browne, e., 1883. "Piety, Vanorny, and Patricia M. Browne 2Margaret Lynne Education in Maryland to 1916", Chastity and Love of County: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, 1984. Study of the Development of Nearo 3Michael Francis Rouse, Ec_kgAtig_an_sJcleCattLolig_Auslrlanci_and the District of The Johns Hopkins Press, 1935. Columbia. 4 .) From the Census of 1800 Negro Population by Counties Table A. Western Shore Eastern Shore EMeercKA.,)esCo.F.I.M.lig_gr.22.11 Slaves Counties 1,344 4,264 Harford 373 2,103 Cecil 1,536 6,830 Baltimore 1,786 4,474 Kant 2,771 2,843 Balt. City 602 1,865 Caroline 1,833 9,760 Anne Arundel 1,025 6,517 Queen Anne 307 4,401 Calvert 1,591 4,775 Talbot 622 6,399 St. Mary's 2,365 4,566 Dorchester 262 6,288 Montgomery 586 7,432 Somerset 648 12,191 Pr. Geo. 449 4,398 Worchester 101 499 Alleghany , 8,777 36,130 TOTALS 342 2,200 Washington 473 4,572 Frederick Carol County was organized in Note: organized in 1836; Howard County was 1851; Wicomico County was organized 10,810 69,805 Totals organized in 1867; Garrett County was in 1872. (From ty _SudotheDeveloeectroEducat'jonUnderr'alkcAjg_ n Michael the Dist 'ct of Co umbia by us ices in Maryland and 1935, p. 16), Francis Rouse, The Johns Hopkins Press, 5 6 Large numbers of slaves were needed to maintain the great of mansions of Prince George's County, Maryland, home of several The Belair mansion of Bowie, Maryland's early governors. Maryland was built by Benjamin Tasker, acting governor from 1752- The mansion was occupied by Governor Ogle who was 1753.1 and 1746-1752.2 governor of Maryland from 1731-1732, 1733-1742 of His son occupied the Belair mansion and served as Governor There, Governor Ogle began the first Maryland from 1798-1801.3 Large numbers of slaves were required stud farm in the country. The to work the land, maintain the mansion and the stud farm. "Fairview" and "Pleasantview" mansions date back to 1790 and the Sacred Heart Church was founded in late 1700's, respectively.4 The grand mansions were surrounded by large tobacco 1741.5 Education of the Negro was not forbidden but was farms. the One can but wonder at the quality of life for discouraged. prior to 1800. 648 free Negroes in Prince George's County Ironically, Prince George's County would become home for an These large populations of free Historically Black College. the Blacks on the eastern and western shores of Maryland led to for the need for formal education and, eventually, to the need An Historical Study of the 1Cleophus Cerrutheous Hatcher, George Integration of Students and Facult 1977, pp. 162-163. Washington University, February 21, 2Ibid., pp. 162-163. 3Ibid., pp. 162-163. 4Ibid., pp. 162-163. 5Ibid., pp. 162-163. 6 7 higher education of Blacks in Maryland. Prior to 1800, three colleges were founded for White males; Washington College of Chestertown, Maryland in 1782; St. John's 1807.1 College of Annapolis in 1785; and, Cokesbury College in Washington College and St. John's College were briefly affiliated arrangement which was short as the University of Maryland, an These Cokesbury College went our of existence in 1796. lived. These populations, White schools did not admit Blacks or women. before Blacks and women, would have to wait another sixty years they would have their own colleges. in the The free Blacks of Maryland were to find allies Both religious groups would be Quakers and Methodists. instrumental in assisting Blacks in their educational efforts. Methodists which began The close alliance with the Quakers and before 1800 would eventually lead to the state supported educational structures which continue to this day. Maryland, Education in of History Steiner, 'Bernard C. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1894. 7 8 axg_EgkigAt'ooacl_l_n_fafrom 1800-1900 Blacks in Maryland after 1800 The first formal education of Members of the Sharp Street Methodist was initiated by freedmen. Episcopal Church bought land for a new .church and school in This new church and school was to become the forerunner 1802.1 in Maryland. of public education for Blacks (Sisters of Providence), The founding of the Oblate Sisters in the United States, the first black Catholic order of nuns education of Black children by marked the early beginnings of the The Oblate in 1829.2 the Black hierarchy of the Catholic Church children in Maryland for Sisters would educate Black Catholic Their contributions included nearly one hundred fifty years. improvements in the community as well as in the classroom. the end Higher education in Maryland began two years after In.18671 Morgan State University (Centenary of the Civil War. On December 16, Baltimore.3 Biblical Institute) was founded in (Baltimore Normal School) was founded.4 1867, Bowie State College Reconstruction, the In 1887, towards the end of Maryland 1Phebe Jacobsen, "Researching Black Families at the Annapolis, 1984. Hall of Records" Maryland Hall of Records, 2Phebe Jacobsen, op. cit. Theltstorlorgan State cglleat_i 3Edward N. Wilson, Action 1867-1967, Vantage Press, A Century of Purpose in New York, 1968. Sketch of 4Ida G. Brandon and Elizabeth H. Tipton, "Historical The George Washington Bowie State College," Washington, D.C.: University, 1973. 8 fi University of Maryland Eastern Shore (The Princess Anne Academy) The Sharp Street Methodist Church (Black) was founded.' was Morgan established the instrumental in the founding of Morgan. Shore) as a Princess Anne Academy (University of Maryland Eastern Bowie was founded by the Baltimore Association. branch school. Maryland were Free Blacks in Baltimore and other parts of institutions of directly responsible for the founding of these Whether the founding was for the clergy or for higher education. the mission of teachers for Black children in segregated schools, in the free Black these schools was tied to the immediate needs These free Black communities and Quakers in this communities. White country and abroad financed these institutions. Marylanders' involvement, with the exception of a few Quakers, was almost nonexistent. The tax based support of education of Blacks in Maryland was instituted with the 1864 Constitution which called for a state Black children attended segregated public school system.2 to schools in counties where free Blacks paid enough taxes This continued until 1872 when a new law support their schools.3 election established a Black public school in each county's 'BernardC. Steiner. HistoryEd_LcationinNtarylAnd, Government Printing Office, 1894. "Piety, and Patricia M. Vanorny, Lynne Browne 2Margaret 1916," Chastity and Love of Country and Education in Maryland to Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, 1984. 3Margaret Lynne Browne and Patricia M. Vanorny, op. cit. 9