Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bates: The Community Commitment
1966 - 2006
Wiley H. Bates High School has a strength beyond bricks and mortar — its real foundation has always been its people. The last African American class to put on robes of purple and gold and receive their diplomas was the class of 1966, but the school's interweaving with the community remains to this day.
A deep family spirit, characterized by teamwork and hope, unites the faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Bates, and was the driving force behind the Bates Redevelopment Project. After the closing of the Bates facility in 1981, the school's supporters rallied for its preservation.
Undaunted by boarded windows, overgrown fields, crumbling walls, or flooded corridors, the Bates community, championed the redevelopment efforts, documenting the school's history, raising funds, consulting with elected officials, and collaborating with many organizations.
Through many iterations, pauses, setbacks, and spurts it was the community's unwavering pride in Bates that pushed the project onward.
Today, Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park stands as a symbol of the perseverance of the Bates faithful who always
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
Location. 38° 58.515′ N, 76° 30.679′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is on Smithville Street, 0.1 miles east of South Villa Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 Smithville St, Annapolis MD 21401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wiley H. Bates: His Educational Legacy (a few steps from this marker); Wiley H. Bates (a few steps from this marker); Wiley H. Bates: The Man (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Wiley H. Bates Memorial Courtyard (a few steps from this marker); Bates: The Center of Community Life (a few steps from this marker); Original Bates Flagpole (a few steps from this marker); Weeping Cherry Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); John Snowden Memorial (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 1, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
