Western University

Western University. , Western University had its beginning in the Quindaro Freedman's School founded in the 1860s by the Reverend Eben Blachley, a Presbyterian Minister., The Freedmen's School was intended to provide education for the children of escaped slaves and black families that had begun to settle in the area. The school received support from the state in 1867 and 1873, but became inactive following the death of Reverend Blachley in 1877. The school was revived in 1881 under the sponsorship of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and reopened in 1882. In 1891 the school, renamed Western University moved from the valley to a new building, Ward Hall, near 27th and Sewell. William T. Vernon, who was subsequently named Registrar of the Treasury by President Theodore Roosevelt was placed in charge of the school in 1896, when Dr. Vernon retired from the school in 1910, he left behind a flourishing campus with many fine buildings. The statue of John Brown was unveiled on Commencement Day, 1911. The Monument was the project of Bishop Abram Grant of the A.M.E. Church, and was paid for by contributions from students and the citizens of Kansas City. Western University continued to prosper under Dr. H.T. Kealing, adding a Junior College and a School of Religion. As with many small schools, Western University was severely affected by the Great Depression, and was finally forced to close in 1943.