New Albany in Floyd County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Memories of Division
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
1. Memories of Division Marker
Inscription.
Memories of Division. . Enslaved blacks seeking freedom crossed the Ohio River from Louisville to New Albany almost from the founding of the Indiana town. The Indiana Constitution of 1816 prohibited slavery. Because of the large number of blacks crossing the river, the proportion of African Americans in New Albany, located in a free state, rose to 7.5 percent by 1860, It was one of the highest in Indiana and the Ohio Valley., Prior to the Civil War, free education was unavailable to African American students in Indiana. Public schools for blacks were permitted only in 1869, when Indiana passed a law permitting separate schools for them. Obviously, mot of these schools were segregated. Division Street School, which was built in 1884 and opened in 1885 at a cost of $1,752, provided education in grades one through six, for children in East New Albany. The school initially enrolled 60 - 70 students in two classrooms. Over the next 60 years, about 3,000 children attended, prior to its closure in 1946. School desegregation in Indiana began in 1949., Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Division Street School was restored in 2005. It now serves as a living history center to instruct school children and the public about segregation and African-American history in New Albany., . . . . By the Way:: , The City of New Albany dedicated a nearby street in honor of the late Kathryn Hickerson, a co-founder of the Friends of the Division Street School.
Enslaved blacks seeking freedom crossed the Ohio River from Louisville to New Albany almost from the founding of the Indiana town. The Indiana Constitution of 1816 prohibited slavery. Because of the large number of blacks crossing the river, the proportion of African Americans in New Albany, located in a free state, rose to 7.5 percent by 1860, It was one of the highest in Indiana and the Ohio Valley.
Prior to the Civil War, free education was unavailable to African American students in Indiana. Public schools for blacks were permitted only in 1869, when Indiana passed a law permitting separate schools for them. Obviously, mot of these schools were segregated. Division Street School, which was built in 1884 and opened in 1885 at a cost of $1,752, provided education in grades one through six, for children in East New Albany. The school initially enrolled 60 - 70 students in two classrooms. Over the next 60 years, about 3,000 children attended, prior to its closure in 1946. School desegregation in Indiana began in 1949.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Division Street School was restored in 2005. It now serves as a living history center to instruct school children and the public about segregation and African-American history in New Albany.
• • • • By the Way::
The City
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of New Albany dedicated a nearby street in honor of the late Kathryn Hickerson, a co-founder of the Friends of the Division Street School.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.
Location. 38° 17.588′ N, 85° 48.306′ W. Marker is in New Albany, Indiana, in Floyd County. Marker is on Division Street west of East 18th Street, on the left when traveling west. Located in front of the 'Division Street School' in New Albany, Indiana. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Albany IN 47151, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
2. Text Area - - Memories of Division Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
3. Marker Photo - - Division Street Classroom
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
4. Marker Photo - - "May 6, 1941"
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
5. Marker Photo - - "c.1917"
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
6. "Division Street School" -and- Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
7. 'Conservative Street' Side of the School
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
8. Stone Sign - - "Established 1884"
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 2, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.