Description: 3" x 4" photograph of bolted blocks from the collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The sets of square wooden blocks and steel bolts consisted of three blocks of equal size and their corresponding size of bolt. Bolts fit into holes in the center of the blocks. The blocks and bolts were stored in small boxes made of plywood when not in use. The objective was to find the set of three blocks of the same size with the same sized hole, and then bolt them together with a bolt of the correct size. The block sets helped manual dexterity and coordination. Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. In 1837, the Ohio government established the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. This institution was the predecessor of the Ohio State School for the Blind. It was the first public school for the blind in the United States. It was the first in the nation to be created and maintained entirely by the State government. The school opened its doors in 1839, and it was located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Any blind children residing in Ohio could attend the institution. Eleven students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind this first year. The school initially had a maximum capacity of sixty students, but upon moving to a new building in 1874, more than three hundred students could attend at one time. Between 1839 and 1901, 2,058 students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, with 339 attending in 1901 alone. In the early 1900s, the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind became known as the Ohio State School for the Blind, and the Ohio Department of Education assumed control of the school. In 1953, the school moved ten miles north of its original location to its present home. In 2005, 126 students enrolled in the Ohio State School for the Blind. Students as young as three and as old as twenty-one years of age attended the school. Students could receive their entire education (kindergarten through high school) at the institution. In addition, the Ohio State School for the Blind offered vocational training for its students. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_016_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Bolts and nuts
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a ladder from a collection of models, that were constructed at the school by a WPA project, for the Ohio State School for the Blind and are located in the basement of the school. The models are of various monuments around the United States that blind students can examine with their hands. In 1837, the Ohio government established the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. This institution was the predecessor of the Ohio State School for the Blind. It was the first public school for the blind in the United States. The school opened its doors in 1839, and it was located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Any blind children residing in Ohio could attend the institution. Eleven students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind this first year. The school initially had a maximum capacity of sixty students, but upon moving to a new building in 1874, more than three hundred students could attend at one time. Between 1839 and 1901, 2,058 students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, with 339 attending in 1901 alone. In the early 1900s, the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind became known as the Ohio State School for the Blind, and the Ohio Department of Education assumed control of the school. In 1953, the school moved ten miles north of its original location to its present home. In 2005, 126 students enrolled in the Ohio State School for the Blind. Students as young as three and as old as twenty-one years of age attended the school. Students could receive their entire education (kindergarten through high school) at the institution. In addition, the Ohio State School for the Blind offered vocational training for its students. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_017_001
Subjects: Models; Ladders; Schools--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Blind--Education--Ohio--Columbus; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: 3"x 4" photograph of a steel truss bridge from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The model is a replica of a highway bridge over the Wabash river in Mercer County, Ohio. The model is length 59.5", width 15", height 13.5". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. In 1837, the Ohio government established the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. This institution was the predecessor of the Ohio State School for the Blind. It was the first public school for the blind in the United States. It was the first in the nation to be created and maintained entirely by the State government. The school opened its doors in 1839, and it was located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Any blind children residing in Ohio could attend the institution. Eleven students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind this first year. The school initially had a maximum capacity of sixty students, but upon moving to a new building in 1874, more than three hundred students could attend at one time. Between 1839 and 1901, 2,058 students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, with 339 attending in 1901 alone. In the early 1900s, the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind became known as the Ohio State School for the Blind, and the Ohio Department of Education assumed control of the school. In 1953, the school moved ten miles north of its original location to its present home. In 2005, 126 students enrolled in the Ohio State School for the Blind. Students as young as three and as old as twenty-one years of age attended the school. Students could receive their entire education (kindergarten through high school) at the institution. In addition, the Ohio State School for the Blind offered vocational training for its students. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_019_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Truss Bridges Ohio
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: 3" x 4" photograph of a braille clock. In the 1820's Louis Braille, in his home country of France, developed code using raised dots to represent letters and numbers. The touch system code is used by people who are blind to read and write. This braille clock is from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The model clock has braille characters on its face. As a demonstration clock it has no apparatus inside the clock case, but the hands can be moved with a knob located in the back of the box. The model is length 12", width 12", height 6.5". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. In 1837, the Ohio government established the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. This institution was the predecessor of the Ohio State School for the Blind. It was the first public school for the blind in the United States. It was the first in the nation to be created and maintained entirely by the State government. The school opened its doors in 1839, and it was located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Any blind children residing in Ohio could attend the institution. Eleven students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind this first year. The school initially had a maximum capacity of sixty students, but upon moving to a new building in 1874, more than three hundred students could attend at one time. Between 1839 and 1901, 2,058 students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, with 339 attending in 1901 alone. In the early 1900s, the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind became known as the Ohio State School for the Blind, and the Ohio Department of Education assumed control of the school. In 1953, the school moved ten miles north of its original location to its present home. In 2005, 126 students enrolled in the Ohio State School for the Blind. Students as young as three and as old as twenty-one years of age attended the school. Students could receive their entire education (kindergarten through high school) at the institution. In addition, the Ohio State School for the Blind offered vocational training for its students. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_033_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Clocks and watches; Braille
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: 3" x 4" photograph of a plow from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The plow is one of man's most important tools, used to break the ground for planting. In earliest form, the plow was little more than a sharp stick. A major advance in plow design was the moldboard plow, a general purpose plow, also known as a walking plow. As shown in the model, the largest part of its blade is called the moldboard, to which is attached the plow's actual point, the share. The share bites into the ground while the rear moldboard, the larger part of the plow blade, turns the earth aside. The moldboard plow reduced the amount of time needed to prepare a field, in effect, it allowed a farmer to work a larger area of land. The model is length 11.5", width 3.5", height 4". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. In 1837, the Ohio government established the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. This institution was the predecessor of the Ohio State School for the Blind. It was the first public school for the blind in the United States. It was the first in the nation to be created and maintained entirely by the State government. The school opened its doors in 1839, and it was located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Any blind children residing in Ohio could attend the institution. Eleven students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind this first year. The school initially had a maximum capacity of sixty students, but upon moving to a new building in 1874, more than three hundred students could attend at one time. Between 1839 and 1901, 2,058 students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, with 339 attending in 1901 alone. In the early 1900s, the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind became known as the Ohio State School for the Blind, and the Ohio Department of Education assumed control of the school. In 1953, the school moved ten miles north of its original location to its present home. In 2005, 126 students enrolled in the Ohio State School for the Blind. Students as young as three and as old as twenty-one years of age attended the school. Students could receive their entire education (kindergarten through high school) at the institution. In addition, the Ohio State School for the Blind offered vocational training for its students. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_032_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Plows
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: 3" x 4" photograph of a bolted house from a collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The bolted house model was designed to improve and demonstrate manual dexterity and coordination. A replication of most likely the most simple of the small, two-story gable houses. The model was small enough for a child to manipulate the parts; walls, roof, floor and chimney. The parts were made to fasten to one another by different-sized bolts and nuts. Each part had to be fastened in a particular order with the corresponding part. The chimney could only be fastened to the roof with the correct-sized bolt, and only after the roof was bolted in place. Likewise, the walls had to be bolted before the roof was bolted, and previously be bolted to the floor pieces. Two bolted house models were made. One had light gray walls and a green roof; the other had white walls and a blue roof. Both had a red chimney. All parts were made of wood. The model dimensions: length 18", width 7", height 12". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. In 1837, the Ohio government established the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. This institution was the predecessor of the Ohio State School for the Blind. It was the first public school for the blind in the United States. It was the first in the nation to be created and maintained entirely by the State government. The school opened its doors in 1839, and it was located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Any blind children residing in Ohio could attend the institution. Eleven students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind this first year. The school initially had a maximum capacity of sixty students, but upon moving to a new building in 1874, more than three hundred students could attend at one time. Between 1839 and 1901, 2,058 students enrolled at the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, with 339 attending in 1901 alone. In the early 1900s, the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind became known as the Ohio State School for the Blind, and the Ohio Department of Education assumed control of the school. In 1953, the school moved ten miles north of its original location to its present home. In 2005, 126 students enrolled in the Ohio State School for the Blind. Students as young as three and as old as twenty-one years of age attended the school. Students could receive their entire education (kindergarten through high school) at the institution. In addition, the Ohio State School for the Blind offered vocational training for its students. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_038_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Model Architecture, Domestic--Ohio--Pictorial works.
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin 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. Gymnasium. Near Xenia, Ohio. Also shows a portion of tennis court." 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_020_1
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Education; Universities and colleges; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Gymnasiums--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. Galloway Hall." Embossed on the front of the photograph is: "Sam R. Kremer, Photographer, Dayton, O." 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_030_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: "Greene County - Wilberforce University, Oct. 20, 1936. Mitchell Hall, near Xenia, Ohio. Basement to be remodeled. Project not yet approved." 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_026_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 on reverse reads: "Cinci., O., Mar 1938. Copy. O.M.I. Parade Grd. College Hill." This photograph shows the Ohio Military Institute Parade grounds in on Belmont Avenue in College Hill near Cincinnati, Ohio. From the OMI alumni website: Ohio Military Institute was established in 1890, on the site the former Belmont College. Freeman Carey, a graduate of Miami University at Oxford (Ohio) had established Carey Academy in his home on the family farm in 1832. It was a success, and within a few years, Carey built a small brick school building, apparently on the site of what later became Carey Hall. Carey Academy was "the leading private school west of the Alleghenies." Dr. Robert H. Bishop, first president of Miami University, joined the faculty of Carey Academy during its final year in 1846. In 1847, the academy became Farmers' College, and it was at this time that Carey Hall was erected. This combination class-room building and dormitory would serve for the next 111 years. Dr. Bishop laid the cornerstone and stayed on to fill the chair of Philosophy and History in the faculty of the college. Shortly before his death in 1855, he ask that his body and that of his wife "might find a final resting place on the College grounds." [Old Boys will remember the Bishop burial mound, which was located at the edge of the woods directly behind Henshaw Hall. This gymnasium/drill hall was built in 1949. When the school closed in 1958, the remains of Dr. and Mrs. Bishop were dis-interned and reburied on the grounds of Miami University. There was, it turned out, no truth to the rumor that Dr. Bishop's horse had also been buried with him!] Farmers' College claimed that "its distinctive feature [was] the practical character of its course of instruction.... to qualify our youth for a higher position in any of the industrial pursuits." With the coming of the Civil War, fully two thirds of the student body rushed to enlist in the Union or Confederate forces. Farmers' College was forced to close, but not before it became a stop on the "underground railroad", assisting escaped slaves to migrate to the north. After the war the school re-opened as Belmont College, offering a curriculum more typical of the classical model of education. But Belmont debuted just as the land grant colleges were beginning to demonstrate that modern "vocational" education at the collegiate level was of more immediate utility in the dawning Industrial Age than was a classical education of philosophy, Greek, Latin, etc. With a shrinking student body, the school began to shift toward the education of younger men. In 1890, Belmont College closed, and the Ohio Military Institute opened on the same site in 1890. But the past was not completely abandoned: Portraits of Mr. Carey and Dr. Bishop hung on opposing walls of the main Study Room in Carey Hall until the buildings were torn down in 1958. Originally, the grounds comprised about ten acres of woodland, fronting on Belmont Avenue and extending westward to a deep ravine. To this was later added a large tract of virgin forest land, nearly sixty acres in extent, surrounding the original property on three sides. This land had originally been part of the Carey farm and was acquired by that family from John Symmes, who secured the grant from the U.S. Government at the close of the Revolutionary War. Harrison Hall (the old Daller House), which was used as a dormitory and recreation building for Lower School cadets, was acquired sometime in the late 1940's, and yet another four acres to the campus. The school buildings included Carey, Belmont, Bishop, Perry, Henshaw and Harrison Halls. Of these, only Henshaw Hall remains and it is apparently still used as a community center for basketball. The other school buildings were razed to make way for Aiken High School, which opened in 1961 View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F14_008_1
Subjects: Military academies; School Buildings--Ohio; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works; Education; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: College Hill (Ohio); Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)