Description: Photo taken between 1935-1943, original date unknown. Marietta College is one of Ohio's oldest continually operating institutions of higher education. In 1830 the Reverend Luther Bingham, a pastor in the Congregationalist Church, established the Institute for Education. Local citizens in Marietta then created the Marietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teachers' Seminary, a non-denominational institution. In 1835, this college became known simply as Marietta College. Throughout its history, Marietta College has emphasized a commitment to a liberal arts education. The institution has desired to create a well-rounded student, knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects. Marietta was the first permanent settlement of the United States of America in the territory north and west of the Ohio River. Originally known as Adelphia, meaning "brotherhood," Marietta was the first settlement founded by the Ohio Company of Associates in the Northwest Territory in 1788. The company's investors renamed the community after Queen Marie Antoinette of France, in honor of France's contributions to the American victory in the American Revolution. The first settlers were led by Rufus Putnam, who was one of the Ohio Company's early investors. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B15F01_068
Subjects: Marietta (Ohio); Universities and colleges; College buildings; Education, Higher--Ohio--History
Places: Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows an aerial view of Western Reserve College and Academy. Western Reserve College opened in 1826. It was the first institution of higher education in what had been the Connecticut Western Reserve in northeast Ohio. Western Reserve College was closely affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Religious groups operated many early colleges in Ohio. They hoped to instill good moral values in their students and create missionaries to seek and convert new members. Originally established at Hudson, Ohio, Western Reserve College moved to Cleveland in 1882. It was one of the first colleges in Ohio to admit African-American students.This image shows an aerial view of Western Reserve College and Academy in Hudson, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06415
Subjects: Education, Higher--Ohio--History; Hudson (Ohio); Universities and colleges; Works Progress Administration
Places: Hudson (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: A photograph of Marietta College's campus in Washington County. Marietta College is one of Ohio's oldest continually operating institutions of higher education. In 1830, the Reverend Luther Bingham established the Institute for Education. Bingham was a pastor in the Congregationalist Church and sought to educate others in his church's beliefs. Unfortunately for Bingham, his school failed financially in 1832. Local citizens in Marietta then created the Marietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teachers' Seminary, a non-denominational institution. In 1835, this college became known simply as Marietta College. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06540
Subjects: Marietta (Ohio); Universities and colleges Ohio; Education, Higher--Ohio--History
Places: Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photographic reproduction of a drawing by Henry Howe depicting Ohio University at Athens, Ohio in 1846. Ohio University, founded in 1804, was the first institution of higher education established west of the Allegheny Mountains. This photographic reproduction of Howe's drawing dates ca. 1970-1979. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00219
Subjects: Athens County (Ohio); Cultural Ohio--Education; Ohio University; Cultural Ohio--Education; Universities and colleges; Education, Higher
Places: Athens (Ohio); Athens County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Reverend W.B. Derrick, D.D., President of the Board of Directors of Payne Theological Seminary at Wilberforce University, ca. 1899. This photograph appears in the Annual Catalogue of Wilberforce University, 1899-1900, which was published in 1900. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W641h_1899_Derrick
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Religious education;
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Reverend Abram Grant, D.D., President of the Board of Trustees at Wilberforce University, ca. 1899. This photograph appears in the Annual Catalogue of Wilberforce University, 1899-1900, which was published in 1900. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W641h_1899_Grant
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Educators
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the Carnegie Library at Wilberforce University. This image appears in the Annual Catalogue of Wilberforce University, 1909-1910. According to the publication, the library was dedicated on June 19, 1907, and opened to students and patrons on September 1 of that year. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W648H_Carnegie
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Libraries--Ohio;
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Reverend Samuel Thomas Mitchell, A.M., LL.D., retiring President of Wilberforce University ca. 1899. This photograph appears in the Annual Catalogue of Wilberforce University, 1899-1900, which was published in 1900. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W641h_1899_Mitchell
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Educators
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Illustrated portrait of J.P. Maxwell, who served as secretary of Wilberforce University. This portrait appears in "School Days at Wilberforce," a small volume of recollections by author Reverdy C. Ransom of his time as a student at the university. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W641Er_Maxwell
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities;
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Illustrated portrait of Professor Joseph P. Shorter, A.M., Superintendent of the Normal and Industrial Department at Wilberforce University, ca. 1899. This portrait appears in the Annual Catalogue of Wilberforce University, 1899-1900, which was published in 1900. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W641h_1899_Shorter
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Educators
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Illustrated portrait of Reverend T.H. Jackson, D.D., who was a professor of Theology at Wilberforce University. This portrait appears in "School Days at Wilberforce," a small volume of recollections by author Reverdy C. Ransom of his time as a student at the university. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W641Er_T_Jackson
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities;
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Reverend Joshua H. Jones, A.M., D.D., President of Wilberforce University, ca. 1901. This portrait appears in the Annual Catalogue of Wilberforce University for the years 1900-1901 and 1901-1902. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. The university was the first private black college in the United States. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent 18th century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. During the American Civil War, attendance declined as many students enlisted in the Union army, and Wilberforce University closed in 1862. In 1863, the African Methodist Episcopal Church acquired ownership of the university. Under the direction of Daniel Payne, a bishop in the AME Church, John Mitchell, a school principal in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an AME pastor from Zanesville, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African American community for the next 24years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, which brought to an end the university's exclusively private status. The state also helped the university create a Normal and Industrial Department that eventually evolved into Central State University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: 378_771W641h_1900_Jones
Subjects: Wilberforce University; Higher education; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Educators
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)