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: 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; Universities and colleges; Works Progress Administration
Places: Hudson (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image shows the entrance arch to Findlay College in Findlay, Ohio. On January 28, 1882, the Church of God and the city of Findlay, Ohio, established Findlay College. The institution struggled at first, but by 1897, the college had established an endowment of more than 100,000 dollars and boasted sixteen faculty members. In 1989, Findlay College became known as the University of Findlay. The campus, still affiliated with the Church of God, then embarked on a building campaign, adding five new buildings over the next several years. By the start of the twenty-first century, this institution boasted sixty-five different areas of undergraduate study and eight graduate programs. The university is especially well known for its equestrian studies program and offers equestrian riding as a varsity sport. In 2005, more than 3,300 undergraduates and 1,200 graduate students enrolled at the University of Findlay. The university also boasted a sizable international student body, representing thirty countries. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06416
Subjects: Education, Higher; Architecture
Places: Findlay (Ohio); Hancock County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image shows University Hall on the University of Toledo's campus in Toledo, Ohio. This is a prime example of Gothic architecture. The building was completed in 1931. The school was founded in 1872 as a public research university called Toledo University of Arts and Trades. In 1894 the name was changed to Toledo Manual Training School. In 1914 it became Toledo University. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06417
Subjects: University of Toledo; Education, Higher; Architecture
Places: Toledo (Ohio); Lucas County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image depicts the main building on the campus of Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. Wilmington College was established by Quakers in 1870 as a private career oriented, liberal arts college. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06418
Subjects: Wilmington (Ohio); Education, Higher; Universities and colleges; Works Progress Administration
Places: Wilmington (Ohio); Clinton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image depicts three different buildings on the campus of Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. Wilmington College was founded in 1870 by Quakers, as a private career oriented, liberal arts college. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06419
Subjects: Wilmington (Ohio); Education, Higher; Universities and colleges; Works Progress Administration
Places: Wilmington (Ohio); Clinton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image shows an aerial view of the campus of Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. The college was chartered in 1835 as a private liberal arts college. It was proceeded by Muskingum Academy in 1797. The first president of the college was Rev. Joel H. Linsley, a Congregational minister. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06420
Subjects: Education, Higher
Places: Marietta (Ohio); Washington 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: Photograph taken by Albert B. Graham ca. 1910. Caption on back reads "An agricultural extension school being held in an Ohio county court room but can't locate. These schools were held for 5 days in most counties from 1909 to 1915." Based on his experiences as a school superintendent in rural Ohio, Graham advocated for the consolidation of rural schools and promoted agricultural education. He is best known as the founder of the Boys and Girls Agricultural Clubs which became the organization known as 4-H. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS194AV_B08F02_852_001
Subjects: Agricultural education; Education; Societies and clubs;
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This image shows a snowy view of the campus of Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. Marietta College was chartered as a private liberal arts college in 1835, proceeded by Muskingum Academy which was founded in 1797. The first president of Marietta was Rev. Joel H. Linsley, a Congregational minister. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06421
Subjects: Education, Higher
Places: Marietta (Ohio)
 

Description: This image shows a classroom scene at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The founding of Miami University was by Act of Congress and signed by President George Washington. It stated that a university was to be build North of the Ohio River in the Miami Valley. Miami is a co-educational public research university, founded in 1809. It the 10 oldest in the United States and the second oldest in Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06423
Subjects: Miami University (Oxford, Ohio); Oxford (Ohio); Education, Higher
Places: Oxford (Ohio); Butler County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image depicts Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. Ashland University was founded in 1878 by the German Baptist Brethren Church. The doors opened on September 11, 1879 with approximately 60 students and 8 faculty members. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06424
Subjects: Universities and colleges Ohio; Education, Higher
Places: Ashland (Ohio); Ashland County (Ohio)