Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Storer College 1867-1955
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 30, 1998
1. Storer College 1867-1955 Marker
Thousands of blacks seeking refuge from slavery and protection behind Union lines fled to Harpers Ferry during the Civil War.
Recognizing the importance of education for former slaves, the government’s Freedmen’s Bureau began a school here in 1864, and by 1867—bolstered by a $10,000 donation by Maine philanthropist John Storer—the missionary Freewill Baptists had transformed four abandoned government mansions on Camp Hill into an integrated normal school.
With the development of Jim Crow laws and legal segregation during the last quarter of the 19th century, however, Storer gradually evolved into an all-black school that—at its peak—featured a campus of 20 buildings and an enrollment of 100 students. Due to its symbolic association with John Brown, Storer College on occasion existed as a mecca for those who advocated equality and social justice for American blacks, Storer trustee Frederick Douglass praised John Brown in a famous oration delivered here in 1881, and 25 years later in 1906, W.E.B. Dubois and the Second Niagara Movement convened at Storer in a meeting that eventually resulted in the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
With the end of legal segregation in 1954, and burdened by financial and enrollment problems—Storer closed its doors in
this page online
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 19.454′ N, 77° 44.449′ W. Marker was in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It could be reached from the intersection of Fillmore Street and Storer College Place, on the right when traveling east. The marker was on the grounds of the Stephen T. Mather Training Center, formerly the grounds of Storer College. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 51 Mather Place, Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the Eastern Panhandle. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named A Land Divided (a few steps from this marker); The Second Meeting of the Niagara Movement (a few steps from this marker); That was the happiest time of my life. (within
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 30, 1998
2. Harpers Ferry National Park-is the story of
Other markers no longer nearby. Camp Hill during the Civil War (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); A Land Divided (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Niagara Movement at Storer College (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Church and School (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. National Park Service (Submitted on August 4, 2016.)
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2020
3. Storer College 1867-1955 Marker
Photo is of location where the marker previously stood.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 832 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on December 25, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 22, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
