Harrison Township in Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Evangeline E. Harris

1893-1950

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

1. Evangeline E. Harris Marker, Side One

Inscription. African American educator, author, and vocalist Evangeline Harris (Merriweather) was born in Terre Haute. She graduated from Indiana State Normal School and taught over 25 years at Booker T. Washington and Lincoln schools. She composed “The Ivy Hymn” for her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was a charter member of its Alpha Eta Omega Chapter.

Her 1937 master's thesis in education surveyed hundreds of black schools and determined a need for an illustrated school reader featuring African American children. As a result, she published a three-part primary-grades series, The Family (1938) and presented biographies of prominent African Americans in Stories for Little Tots (1940). Her books were highly praised.

Erected 2018 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Indiana Landmarks • Alpha Eta Omega chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Inc. (Marker Number 84.2018.2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 39° 28.327′ N, 87° 24.605′ W. Marker is in

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Terre Haute, Indiana, in Vigo County. It is in Harrison Township. Marker is on North 6th Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is just north of Hulman Memorial Student Union, in the green space between Hines Hall and Sandison Hall at Indiana State University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 460 N 6th St, Terre Haute IN 47809, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chauncey Rose (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Eugene V. Debs (approx. ¼ mile away); Fairbanks Hall / Fairbanks Hall Dome Restoration (approx. ¼ mile away); William D. "Big Bill" Haywood (approx. ¼ mile away); Charles Luna (approx. ¼ mile away); Sidney Hillman (approx. ¼ mile away); Mother Jones (approx. ¼ mile away); Patrick E. Gorman (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terre Haute.

Also see . . .
1. Evangeline Harris Merriweather. s part of her master’s thesis in the late 1930s, Harris sent out 500 questionnaires to African American elementary school officials throughout the United States, asking whether they had access to materials that highlighted the importance of African American culture, African American people of high achievement, or showed African American families. Only a handful of schools had materials that presented African Americans accurately and fairly. (Mary Swartz, Digital Civil Rights

Evangeline E. Harris Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

2. Evangeline E. Harris Marker, Side Two

Museum, Ball State University) (Submitted on June 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. 'Walking in Evangeline's shoes'. The soaring, sweet sound of Evangeline Harris Merriweather’s voice — singing to her classroom of kindergartners — remains clear in Carolyn Roberts’ memory, more than seven decades later. (Mark Bennett, Tribune-Star, posted June 11, 2018) (Submitted on June 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Evangeline E. Harris Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

3. Evangeline E. Harris Marker

<i>Stories for Little Tots</i> advertisement image. Click for full size.

Unknown via The Indiana Album (Public Domain), circa 1949

4. Stories for Little Tots advertisement

The author is shown with Dr. George Carver.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.