Description: This image shows Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African Americans 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 eighteenth-century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06412
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Wilberforce University; Universities and colleges--Pictorial works
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows an aerial view of Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio. This school was the nation's oldest private historically African American institution of higher education. Founded in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilberforce was established near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African American access to a college education. Its founders named the institution after William Wilberforce, a prominent eighteenth-century abolitionist. A number of African-American Ohioans attended the school during its early years. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06823
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Wilberforce University; Universities and colleges--Pictorial works; Aerial views
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of Bishop Dougal Ormonde Beaconfield Walker kneeling in the front yard of his home. Walker was the 66th Bishop of the the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the 10th President of Wilberforce University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: NAM_P2_B05F07_E_1
Subjects: Historical Black Colleges and Universities; Religion in Ohio; Wilberforce University; African American men; African American Educators
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals standing in the street in St. Vincent in the West Indies, the birthplace of Bishop Dougal Ormonde Beaconfield Walker. Walker was the 66th Bishop appointed to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the 10th president of Wilberforce University in the 1940s. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: NAM_P2_B05F10_A_2
Subjects: Historical Black Colleges and Universities; Religion in Ohio; Wilberforce University; African American men; African American women; African American Educators
Places: West Indies
 

Description: Photograph of the entrance to the George and Maria Walker African Methodist Episcopal Goodwill Mission, named in honor of Bishop Dougal Ormonde Beaconsfield Walker’s parents, in the West Indies, the birthplace of Bishop Walker. He was the 66th Bishop appointed to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the 10th president of Wilberforce University in the 1940s. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: NAM_P2_B05F10_D_1
Subjects: Historical Black Colleges and Universities; Religion in Ohio; Wilberforce University; African American men; African American women; African American Educators
Places: West Indies
 

Description: Caption reads: "Greene County - Wilberforce University, Oct. 20, 1936. Galloway Hall. Near Xenia, Ohio." Wilberforce University is located on US 42, three miles from Xenia, Ohio on land that at one time occupied the Tawawa Springs summer resort. 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 eighteenth-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. 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 African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Mitchell, the principal of a school in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor from Zanesville, Ohio, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African-American community for the next twenty-four years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, 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. Wilberforce University has experienced steady growth throughout the twentieth century. During the last decades of the twentieth century, the institution built a new residence hall, a student health center, a recreation and sports facility, and an administrative center. The university offers more than twenty degree programs and has exchange programs with universities around the world. In 2003, enrollment was more than 1,200 students. Arson fire damaged some of the buildings in 1865 and tornado in destroyed much of the campus 1974. Below is a partial list of buildings that have been or are on campus: Galloway Hall - Built in 1905, as an impressive administration building and auditorium. It was destroyed by a tornado in 1974 and was rebuilt as part of the Central State University campus. The new building name is Galloway Alumni Tower. Bundy Hall (recitation building) – built 1917 Arnett Hall (girls dormitory and classrooms) - built 1901 Kenzia Emery Hall (girls dormitory) - built 1913 Shorter Hall (boys dormitory, classrooms and administration) – built 1867 (fire caused remodeling 1922) – survived 1974 tornado - demolished 1999 Carnegie Library - built 1907 (1909?) – survived 1974 tornado - National Register of Historic Places 2004 J.G. Mitchell Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms) - built 1891 S.T. Mitchell Hall (girls dormitory – Model home for senior girls) - built 1912 - Samuel T. Mitchell, President 1884-1900. Mitchell Hall, which once stood where Central State University's Hallie Q. Brown Library and Education Building stands today, was named for President Mitchell. O’Neill Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms – first of the state funded buildings) - built 1890 Model School - built 1889 Howell’s Hall - built 1900 Light, Heat and Power Plant – built 1904 Poindexter Hall (built for the printing and drawing departments) - built 1904 Mechanic Arts (built to house carpentry, blacksmithing and machine shops) – built 1914 Tawawa Hospital – built 1916 Beacom Gymnasium – built 1918 Charles Leander Hill Gymnasium – built 1958 - survived 1974 tornado Margaret Ireland Hall (girls dormitory) – built 1963 – destroyed 1974 Central State University In 1887, the Ohio General Assembly established a separate institution to be housed on the Wilberforce campus known as the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. The state-supported school was to focus on training blacks for work in industrial trades and as school teachers. Although the Combined Normal and Industrial Department imposed no restrictions on the race or sex of its students, it was understood that the Department was intended primarily to serve Ohio's African American community. For six decades the Department was administered as part of Wilberforce University. It was set apart, however, by having its own board of trustees which was responsible for administering the state funding of its activities. In 1941, the Department became the College of Education and established a four year program. In 1947 it was declared legally separate from Wilberforce. Although still sharing its campus with Wilberforce, the institution was now the College of Education and Industrial Arts at Wilberforce. In 1951 the Ohio State Legislature added a liberal arts program and renamed the institution Central State College. Former Wilberforce president Charles H. Wesley served as the first president of Central State from 1947 until 1965. Central State became a university in 1965. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_024_1
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio)
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads: "Green County - Wilberforce University, Oct. 20, 1936. Retaining Wall (caved in). This wall was repaired or topped by the PWA, but did not have proper footing and gave way. They are asking funds to rebuild. Project not yet approved. Near Xenia, Ohio." Wilberforce University is located on US 42, three miles from Xenia, Ohio on land that at one time occupied the Tawawa Springs summer resort. 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 eighteenth-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. 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 African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Mitchell, the principal of a school in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor from Zanesville, Ohio, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African-American community for the next twenty-four years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, 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. Wilberforce University has experienced steady growth throughout the twentieth century. During the last decades of the twentieth century, the institution built a new residence hall, a student health center, a recreation and sports facility, and an administrative center. The university offers more than twenty degree programs and has exchange programs with universities around the world. In 2003, enrollment was more than 1,200 students. Arson fire damaged some of the buildings in 1865 and tornado in destroyed much of the campus 1974. Below is a partial list of buildings that have been or are on campus: Galloway Hall - Built in 1905, as an impressive administration building and auditorium. It was destroyed by a tornado in 1974 and was rebuilt as part of the Central State University campus. The new building name is Galloway Alumni Tower. Bundy Hall (recitation building) – built 1917 Arnett Hall (girls dormitory and classrooms) - built 1901 Kenzia Emery Hall (girls dormitory) - built 1913 Shorter Hall (boys dormitory, classrooms and administration) – built 1867 (fire caused remodeling 1922) – survived 1974 tornado - demolished 1999 Carnegie Library - built 1907 (1909?) – survived 1974 tornado - National Register of Historic Places 2004 J.G. Mitchell Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms) - built 1891 S.T. Mitchell Hall (girls dormitory – Model home for senior girls) - built 1912 - Samuel T. Mitchell, President 1884-1900. Mitchell Hall, which once stood where Central State University's Hallie Q. Brown Library and Education Building stands today, was named for President Mitchell. O’Neill Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms – first of the state funded buildings) - built 1890 Model School - built 1889 Howell’s Hall - built 1900 Light, Heat and Power Plant – built 1904 Poindexter Hall (built for the printing and drawing departments) - built 1904 Mechanic Arts (built to house carpentry, blacksmithing and machine shops) – built 1914 Tawawa Hospital – built 1916 Beacom Gymnasium – built 1918 Charles Leander Hill Gymnasium – built 1958 - survived 1974 tornado Margaret Ireland Hall (girls dormitory) – built 1963 – destroyed 1974 Central State University In 1887, the Ohio General Assembly established a separate institution to be housed on the Wilberforce campus known as the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. The state-supported school was to focus on training blacks for work in industrial trades and as school teachers. Although the Combined Normal and Industrial Department imposed no restrictions on the race or sex of its students, it was understood that the Department was intended primarily to serve Ohio's African American community. For six decades the Department was administered as part of Wilberforce University. It was set apart, however, by having its own board of trustees which was responsible for administering the state funding of its activities. In 1941, the Department became the College of Education and established a four year program. In 1947 it was declared legally separate from Wilberforce. Although still sharing its campus with Wilberforce, the institution was now the College of Education and Industrial Arts at Wilberforce. In 1951 the Ohio State Legislature added a liberal arts program and renamed the institution Central State College. Former Wilberforce president Charles H. Wesley served as the first president of Central State from 1947 until 1965. Central State became a university in 1965. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_022_1
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Retaining walls
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads: "Greene County - Wilberforce University, Oct. 20, 1936. New Power house (also showing gymnasium on right). Near Xenia, Ohio." Wilberforce University is located on US 42, three miles from Xenia, Ohio on land that at one time occupied the Tawawa Springs summer resort. 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 eighteenth-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. 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 African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Mitchell, the principal of a school in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor from Zanesville, Ohio, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African-American community for the next twenty-four years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, 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. Wilberforce University has experienced steady growth throughout the twentieth century. During the last decades of the twentieth century, the institution built a new residence hall, a student health center, a recreation and sports facility, and an administrative center. The university offers more than twenty degree programs and has exchange programs with universities around the world. In 2003, enrollment was more than 1,200 students. Arson fire damaged some of the buildings in 1865 and tornado in destroyed much of the campus 1974. Below is a partial list of buildings that have been or are on campus: Galloway Hall - Built in 1905, as an impressive administration building and auditorium. It was destroyed by a tornado in 1974 and was rebuilt as part of the Central State University campus. The new building name is Galloway Alumni Tower. Bundy Hall (recitation building) – built 1917 Arnett Hall (girls dormitory and classrooms) - built 1901 Kenzia Emery Hall (girls dormitory) - built 1913 Shorter Hall (boys dormitory, classrooms and administration) – built 1867 (fire caused remodeling 1922) – survived 1974 tornado - demolished 1999 Carnegie Library - built 1907 (1909?) – survived 1974 tornado - National Register of Historic Places 2004 J.G. Mitchell Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms) - built 1891 S.T. Mitchell Hall (girls dormitory – Model home for senior girls) - built 1912 - Samuel T. Mitchell, President 1884-1900. Mitchell Hall, which once stood where Central State University's Hallie Q. Brown Library and Education Building stands today, was named for President Mitchell. O’Neill Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms – first of the state funded buildings) - built 1890 Model School - built 1889 Howell’s Hall - built 1900 Light, Heat and Power Plant – built 1904 Poindexter Hall (built for the printing and drawing departments) - built 1904 Mechanic Arts (built to house carpentry, blacksmithing and machine shops) – built 1914 Tawawa Hospital – built 1916 Beacom Gymnasium – built 1918 Charles Leander Hill Gymnasium – built 1958 - survived 1974 tornado Margaret Ireland Hall (girls dormitory) – built 1963 – destroyed 1974 Central State University In 1887, the Ohio General Assembly established a separate institution to be housed on the Wilberforce campus known as the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. The state-supported school was to focus on training blacks for work in industrial trades and as school teachers. Although the Combined Normal and Industrial Department imposed no restrictions on the race or sex of its students, it was understood that the Department was intended primarily to serve Ohio's African American community. For six decades the Department was administered as part of Wilberforce University. It was set apart, however, by having its own board of trustees which was responsible for administering the state funding of its activities. In 1941, the Department became the College of Education and established a four year program. In 1947 it was declared legally separate from Wilberforce. Although still sharing its campus with Wilberforce, the institution was now the College of Education and Industrial Arts at Wilberforce. In 1951 the Ohio State Legislature added a liberal arts program and renamed the institution Central State College. Former Wilberforce president Charles H. Wesley served as the first president of Central State from 1947 until 1965. Central State became a university in 1965. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_023_1
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Power-plants United States
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads: "Greene County - Wilberforce University, Oct. 20, 1936. Old power house to be demolished. Project not yet approved. Near Xenia, Ohio." Wilberforce University is located on US 42, three miles from Xenia, Ohio on land that at one time occupied the Tawawa Springs summer resort. 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 eighteenth-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. 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 African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Mitchell, the principal of a school in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor from Zanesville, Ohio, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African-American community for the next twenty-four years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, 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. Wilberforce University has experienced steady growth throughout the twentieth century. During the last decades of the twentieth century, the institution built a new residence hall, a student health center, a recreation and sports facility, and an administrative center. The university offers more than twenty degree programs and has exchange programs with universities around the world. In 2003, enrollment was more than 1,200 students. Arson fire damaged some of the buildings in 1865 and tornado in destroyed much of the campus 1974. Below is a partial list of buildings that have been or are on campus: Galloway Hall - Built in 1905, as an impressive administration building and auditorium. It was destroyed by a tornado in 1974 and was rebuilt as part of the Central State University campus. The new building name is Galloway Alumni Tower. Bundy Hall (recitation building) – built 1917 Arnett Hall (girls dormitory and classrooms) - built 1901 Kenzia Emery Hall (girls dormitory) - built 1913 Shorter Hall (boys dormitory, classrooms and administration) – built 1867 (fire caused remodeling 1922) – survived 1974 tornado - demolished 1999 Carnegie Library - built 1907 (1909?) – survived 1974 tornado - National Register of Historic Places 2004 J.G. Mitchell Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms) - built 1891 S.T. Mitchell Hall (girls dormitory – Model home for senior girls) - built 1912 - Samuel T. Mitchell, President 1884-1900. Mitchell Hall, which once stood where Central State University's Hallie Q. Brown Library and Education Building stands today, was named for President Mitchell. O’Neill Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms – first of the state funded buildings) - built 1890 Model School - built 1889 Howell’s Hall - built 1900 Light, Heat and Power Plant – built 1904 Poindexter Hall (built for the printing and drawing departments) - built 1904 Mechanic Arts (built to house carpentry, blacksmithing and machine shops) – built 1914 Tawawa Hospital – built 1916 Beacom Gymnasium – built 1918 Charles Leander Hill Gymnasium – built 1958 - survived 1974 tornado Margaret Ireland Hall (girls dormitory) – built 1963 – destroyed 1974 Central State University In 1887, the Ohio General Assembly established a separate institution to be housed on the Wilberforce campus known as the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. The state-supported school was to focus on training blacks for work in industrial trades and as school teachers. Although the Combined Normal and Industrial Department imposed no restrictions on the race or sex of its students, it was understood that the Department was intended primarily to serve Ohio's African American community. For six decades the Department was administered as part of Wilberforce University. It was set apart, however, by having its own board of trustees which was responsible for administering the state funding of its activities. In 1941, the Department became the College of Education and established a four year program. In 1947 it was declared legally separate from Wilberforce. Although still sharing its campus with Wilberforce, the institution was now the College of Education and Industrial Arts at Wilberforce. In 1951 the Ohio State Legislature added a liberal arts program and renamed the institution Central State College. Former Wilberforce president Charles H. Wesley served as the first president of Central State from 1947 until 1965. Central State became a university in 1965. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_021_1
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Power-plants United States
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads: "Greene County - Wilberforce University, Oct. 20, 1936. Tennis Court. State 14-29-1004. WPA 10,700. Also show a portion of gymnasium on left and Mitchell Hall on right. Near Xenia, Ohio." Wilberforce University is located on US 42, three miles from Xenia, Ohio on land that at one time occupied the Tawawa Springs summer resort. 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 eighteenth-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. 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 African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Mitchell, the principal of a school in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor from Zanesville, Ohio, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African-American community for the next twenty-four years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, 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. Wilberforce University has experienced steady growth throughout the twentieth century. During the last decades of the twentieth century, the institution built a new residence hall, a student health center, a recreation and sports facility, and an administrative center. The university offers more than twenty degree programs and has exchange programs with universities around the world. In 2003, enrollment was more than 1,200 students. Arson fire damaged some of the buildings in 1865 and tornado in destroyed much of the campus 1974. Below is a partial list of buildings that have been or are on campus: Galloway Hall - Built in 1905, as an impressive administration building and auditorium. It was destroyed by a tornado in 1974 and was rebuilt as part of the Central State University campus. The new building name is Galloway Alumni Tower. Bundy Hall (recitation building) – built 1917 Arnett Hall (girls dormitory and classrooms) - built 1901 Kenzia Emery Hall (girls dormitory) - built 1913 Shorter Hall (boys dormitory, classrooms and administration) – built 1867 (fire caused remodeling 1922) – survived 1974 tornado - demolished 1999 Carnegie Library - built 1907 (1909?) – survived 1974 tornado - National Register of Historic Places 2004 J.G. Mitchell Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms) - built 1891 S.T. Mitchell Hall (girls dormitory – Model home for senior girls) - built 1912 - Samuel T. Mitchell, President 1884-1900. Mitchell Hall, which once stood where Central State University's Hallie Q. Brown Library and Education Building stands today, was named for President Mitchell. O’Neill Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms – first of the state funded buildings) - built 1890 Model School - built 1889 Howell’s Hall - built 1900 Light, Heat and Power Plant – built 1904 Poindexter Hall (built for the printing and drawing departments) - built 1904 Mechanic Arts (built to house carpentry, blacksmithing and machine shops) – built 1914 Tawawa Hospital – built 1916 Beacom Gymnasium – built 1918 Charles Leander Hill Gymnasium – built 1958 - survived 1974 tornado Margaret Ireland Hall (girls dormitory) – built 1963 – destroyed 1974 Central State University In 1887, the Ohio General Assembly established a separate institution to be housed on the Wilberforce campus known as the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. The state-supported school was to focus on training blacks for work in industrial trades and as school teachers. Although the Combined Normal and Industrial Department imposed no restrictions on the race or sex of its students, it was understood that the Department was intended primarily to serve Ohio's African American community. For six decades the Department was administered as part of Wilberforce University. It was set apart, however, by having its own board of trustees which was responsible for administering the state funding of its activities. In 1941, the Department became the College of Education and established a four year program. In 1947 it was declared legally separate from Wilberforce. Although still sharing its campus with Wilberforce, the institution was now the College of Education and Industrial Arts at Wilberforce. In 1951 the Ohio State Legislature added a liberal arts program and renamed the institution Central State College. Former Wilberforce president Charles H. Wesley served as the first president of Central State from 1947 until 1965. Central State became a university in 1965. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_028_1
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Sports; Court tennis
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads: "Greene County - Wilberforce University, Oct. 20, 1936. New power house (also showing gymnasium on right). Near Xenia, Ohio." Wilberforce University is located on US 42, three miles from Xenia, Ohio on land that at one time occupied the Tawawa Springs summer resort. 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 eighteenth-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. 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 African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Mitchell, the principal of a school in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor from Zanesville, Ohio, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African-American community for the next twenty-four years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, 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. Wilberforce University has experienced steady growth throughout the twentieth century. During the last decades of the twentieth century, the institution built a new residence hall, a student health center, a recreation and sports facility, and an administrative center. The university offers more than twenty degree programs and has exchange programs with universities around the world. In 2003, enrollment was more than 1,200 students. Arson fire damaged some of the buildings in 1865 and tornado in destroyed much of the campus 1974. Below is a partial list of buildings that have been or are on campus: Galloway Hall - Built in 1905, as an impressive administration building and auditorium. It was destroyed by a tornado in 1974 and was rebuilt as part of the Central State University campus. The new building name is Galloway Alumni Tower. Bundy Hall (recitation building) – built 1917 Arnett Hall (girls dormitory and classrooms) - built 1901 Kenzia Emery Hall (girls dormitory) - built 1913 Shorter Hall (boys dormitory, classrooms and administration) – built 1867 (fire caused remodeling 1922) – survived 1974 tornado - demolished 1999 Carnegie Library - built 1907 (1909?) – survived 1974 tornado - National Register of Historic Places 2004 J.G. Mitchell Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms) - built 1891 S.T. Mitchell Hall (girls dormitory – Model home for senior girls) - built 1912 - Samuel T. Mitchell, President 1884-1900. Mitchell Hall, which once stood where Central State University's Hallie Q. Brown Library and Education Building stands today, was named for President Mitchell. O’Neill Hall (boys dormitory and classrooms – first of the state funded buildings) - built 1890 Model School - built 1889 Howell’s Hall - built 1900 Light, Heat and Power Plant – built 1904 Poindexter Hall (built for the printing and drawing departments) - built 1904 Mechanic Arts (built to house carpentry, blacksmithing and machine shops) – built 1914 Tawawa Hospital – built 1916 Beacom Gymnasium – built 1918 Charles Leander Hill Gymnasium – built 1958 - survived 1974 tornado Margaret Ireland Hall (girls dormitory) – built 1963 – destroyed 1974 Central State University In 1887, the Ohio General Assembly established a separate institution to be housed on the Wilberforce campus known as the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. The state-supported school was to focus on training blacks for work in industrial trades and as school teachers. Although the Combined Normal and Industrial Department imposed no restrictions on the race or sex of its students, it was understood that the Department was intended primarily to serve Ohio's African American community. For six decades the Department was administered as part of Wilberforce University. It was set apart, however, by having its own board of trustees which was responsible for administering the state funding of its activities. In 1941, the Department became the College of Education and established a four year program. In 1947 it was declared legally separate from Wilberforce. Although still sharing its campus with Wilberforce, the institution was now the College of Education and Industrial Arts at Wilberforce. In 1951 the Ohio State Legislature added a liberal arts program and renamed the institution Central State College. Former Wilberforce president Charles H. Wesley served as the first president of Central State from 1947 until 1965. Central State became a university in 1965. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_019_1
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Power-plants United States
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated October 20, 1936, this photograph shows Bundy Hall at Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio. Wilberforce University is located on US 42, three miles from Xenia, Ohio on land that at one time occupied the Tawawa Springs summer resort. In 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University near Xenia, Ohio, to provide African Americans 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 eighteenth-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. 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 African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Mitchell, the principal of a school in Cincinnati, and James Shorter, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor from Zanesville, Ohio, Wilberforce reopened its doors. The institution operated as a private university serving the African-American community for the next twenty-four years. In 1887, the State of Ohio began to provide Wilberforce with funds to help finance the institution, 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. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_027_1
Subjects: Architecture; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio)
Places: Wilberforce (Ohio); Greene County (Ohio)