THE “Junction of the Potomac Fall 2017 and Shenandoah, Virginia,” by William Roberts, dating Page 1 - 150th Anniversary from 1808-1809. This is one Storer College Commem- of the oldest known prints moration of Harpers Ferry. In 1783, Page 2 - A Brief History of declared Storer College that this view was “worth a Page 5 - New Storer voyage across the Atlantic.” College Gear in the Park (Museum of Early Southern Bookshop Decorative Arts, Winston- Salem, North Carolina)

Education and the Struggle for Equality 150th Anniversary Storer College Commemoration October 6 – 8

Camp Hill will come alive this autumn reads “John with three days of music, drama, living Brown.” Saturday, 12:30 p.m. The fa- history, performances, special tours, and mous abolitionist, advocate, and orator, other programs honoring the sesquicen- as portrayed by Fred Morsell, will pres- tennial of the founding of Storer Col- ent his 1881 address on . The lege. Public events will kick off Friday speech was originally delivered at the evening with a welcome ceremony at Fourteenth Anniversary of Storer Col- 7:00 p.m., followed by The Music of Don lege. With a professional acting career Redman, performed live by the How- spanning four decades, Mr. Morsell’s ard Burns Jazz Orchestra and featuring portrayal of Frederick Douglass has special guest Dr. Eddie Henderson. been acclaimed across the country, in- Throughout the weekend, a special cluding performances at many Douglass student art exhibition, Healing Through centennial celebrations. History: From Shackles to Scholars, will be open for viewing, and young visitors A Journey Through the Great African will have an opportunity to play and American Songbook. Saturday, 1:30 learn in the Family and Youth Discovery p.m. This musical performance will Tent. Other highlights of the weekend feature jazz vocalist Catherine Russell, will include the following: whose 2016 album, Harlem on My Mind, was nominated for a Grammy Award. Recollections of Storer: Alumni Panel. NPR Music has hailed her talent, saying, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Former students “Catherine Russell is a rarity. She can Dewitt Jacobs (1948), Gwendolyn Hous- sing a story like no one else.” ton (1950), Russell Roper (1950), Delores Duncan (1951), William Vollin (1953), Book Launch & Reception. Saturday, Elbert Norton (1955), and Donald Taylor 4:45 p.m. Author and artists will be (1955) will share their memories of life at available for signings. Additionally, the Storer College. This panel will be mod- Harpers Ferry Park Association will erated by Ranger Guinevere Roper. celebrate the release of its new book on the history of Storer College, To Eman- cipate the Mind and Soul. The book Top to bottom: Dr. Eddie Henderson, Fred features a selection of essays by rangers, Morsell as Frederick Douglass, and Cather- volunteers, and historians concerning ine Russell. continued on Page 3

Harpers Ferry Park Association | 1 A Brief History of Storer College

By George Best

Over 620,000 soldiers died between the was officially granted its charter in March of first shots fired at Fort Sumter and the final 1868. surrender of the last Confederate military However, Brackett had already opened forces. The Civil War left in its wake a broken the doors to Storer College in October 1867. At landscape and a people scarred physically first, the school only consisted of the war-bat- and emotionally by conflict. Nevertheless, the tered Lockwood House. Through hard work emerged from the devastation as and a little luck, Storer College eventually The View is published by the a single entity, simultaneously liberating four acquired a fair portion of Camp Hill for its Harpers Ferry Park Asso- million enslaved campus. The ciation (HFPA), an Official . old U.S. Armory National Park Cooperating That freedom was Superintendent’s Association that supports the imperfect, limited, home became mission of the National Park and sometimes Anthony Me- Service. challenged, but it morial Hall. The was freedom. No homes now called The Association operates the longer were human the Brackett and Park Bookshop in Harpers beings allowed to Morrell Houses Ferry NHP. Profits from sales own other human were transformed are returned to the park to beings. Now, at the into housing for support inter­pretive and edu- cational programs to enhance end of the war, it professors and your visit. was time to make students alike. something of that Over time, new You are invited to join this freedom. But how? Storer College students, ca. 1916. buildings were unique organization and be a Many North- erected to provide part of Harpers Ferry’s special ern abolitionists believed that in order to be more classrooms and living space, allowing family. For more information truly free, one must possess some degree of the school to expand its operations and offer call (304) 535-6881, e-mail us education. Thus, even before the war was over, more advanced courses. at [email protected], or visit these individuals flocked to the Union-occu- Just as Brackett and his supporters had our website at www.harpers- pied South to establish churches, charities, envisioned, many Storer graduates became ferryhistory.org. and schools for the newly-emancipated pop- teachers in their own right, several returning Executive Director ulation. The federal garrison at Harpers Ferry, to their alma mater to teach the next gener- Cathy Baldau in the new state of , had pro- ation. Others pursued different paths, many vided a haven for a large number of runaway rising to prominence in their fields. Alumnus Operations Manager Whitney Richards slaves during the war, and was thus a natural Thomas Lovett established the iconic Hilltop target of these missionary activities. However, House Hotel, where he hosted celebrities Editor despite the influx of volunteers, the stu- such as Mark Twain, Alexander Graham Bell, Catherine Oliver dent-to-teacher ratios at these schools quickly and President Woodrow Wilson during their Graphic Designer became dreadfully high. Rev. Nathan C. journeys to the Ferry. Another alumnus, Don David T. Gilbert Brackett, a teacher who had first come to the Redman, carved out a remarkable musical Board of Directors with the Christian Com- career, earning the nickname, “Little Giant of James Silvia, President mission in 1864, proposed the establishment Jazz.” After a lengthy stint in political journal- Doug Perks, Vice President of a college for the purpose of training African ism and activism, graduate Nnamdi Azikiwe David T. Gilbert, Secretary Americans as teachers. The idea proved popu- became the first President of in 1960. Wayne Welty, Treasurer lar with church leaders—the primary sponsors Throughout its history, the school played Patrice Flynn of the schools—and groundwork was laid host to notable and sometimes controversial Carol Gallant for an African American college. John Storer, events. In the early years, opposition to an Cynthia Gayton Jim Jenkins a philanthropist, took interest in the African American school resulted in ha- Bob Johnson project and offered a grant of $10,000, to be rassment of teachers and students; on one Suzanne Silvia matched by the Freewill Baptist Church within occasion, a flaming cross was set on the lawn. Ed Wheeless a year. Storer , as it was called, continued on Page 5

2 | The View | Fall 2017 Storer College Commemoration, ment Award in 2007 by the National continued from page 1 Association for Negro Musicians for his notable alumni and influential faculty, brilliant musicianship and work with their dreams and challenges, and the young people. historic persons and movements that have passed through the gates on Camp Gospel Extravaganza. Sunday, 4 p.m. Hill. This musical program will feature choirs from West Virginia churches where Voices from an “Oasis.” Saturday, 6:00 Storer students once performed: The p.m. This dramatic performance will be Bradford Singers of Judea Christian presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Community Church, Charles Town; The the Eastern Panhandle. Mighty Men of God of Asbury United Methodist Church, Shepherdstown; Pilgrimage to Lockwood House & The Rainbow Mass Choir of Mt. Zion Nathan Brackett Grave. Sunday, United Methodist Church, Martins- 9:30 a.m. Attendees are invited to visit burg; and Zion Baptist Chorus of Zion the college’s first home, the war-bat- Baptist Church, Charles Town. tered Lockwood House that sheltered teachers and students when classes Lectures commenced in 1867. There will also be The weekend will also offer a series of a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave talks on particular elements of the Stor- of Storer’s first president, Rev. Nathan er College story. These include: Brackett, with remarks by his descen- dants and music from the Ecumenical African American Education and the Harpers Ferry Bell Choir and the Brad- Law, 1865-1955. Saturday, 10:00 a.m. ford Singers. Presented by David M. Fryson, Esq., Vice President, Division of Diversity, Alumni Memorial Service. Sunday, Equity and Inclusion, West Virginia 11:00 a.m. Members of the Storer Col- University. lege community will worship at this spe- cial service held annually at the Curtis Three Lives, Three Worlds: Shining Freewill Baptist Church. Stars of Storer College. Saturday, 2:45 p.m. Moderated by Mr. Fryson, three Lifting As We Climb. Sunday, 12:30 famous alumni stories will be presented p.m. In this living history performance, by those who have studied their charac- Ilene Evans will bring to life Civil Rights ters in depth. “J.R. Clifford: Storer Col- pioneer and Storer alumnus, Coralie lege’s Man of Firsts” will be discussed Franklin Cook. Ms. Evans is co-founder by Dr. Connie Rice; “Coralie Franklin of Voices from the Earth, a non-profit Cook: Civil Rights Through Education” arts organization, and has served as the will be presented by Ilene Evans; and President of the West Virginia Storytell- “Joseph Jeffrey Walters: Bringing the ing Guild. Blending her passions for sto- World Together through Literature” will rytelling and history, she has developed be introduced by Dr. John Singler. programs portraying African American heroines such as Harriet Tubman, Mem- Storer as a World Stage: The Niagara phis Tennessee Garrison, Susie King Movement comes to Harpers Ferry. Taylor, and Carrie Williams. Saturday, 3:45 p.m. Dr. David Levering Lewis is the author of eight books, two Hands of a Master: Piano recital. Sun- of which have won the Pulitzer Prize for day, 1:45 p.m. Acclaimed pianist Leon biography: W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography Bates will perform a selection of music. of a Race, 1868-1919 and W.E.B. Du Bois: Called “fiercely talented and powerful” Top to bottom: Cover of To Emancipate The Fight for Equality and the American by the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Bates was the Mind and Soul, Ilene Evans as Coralie Century, 1919-1963. Dr. Lewis’ presenta- recognized with a Lifetime Achieve- Franklin Cook, and David Fryson. continued on Page 4

Harpers Ferry Park Association | 3 Storer College Commemoration, This event is sponsored in partnership continued from page 3 by Harpers Ferry National Historical tion will be followed by the Children’s Park, Harpers Ferry Park Association, Cornerstone program. and Jefferson County NAACP, with grants from The Nora Roberts Founda- Early African American Education tion and the West Virginia Humanities in America. Sunday, 3:00 p.m. Present- Council. ed by Dr. Edna Medford, a professor, current chair, and former director of the Department of History programs. Specializing in nine- teenth-century African American histo- ry, she is also member of the Executive Committee of the Lincoln Forum and chairperson of the Scholars Advisory Council at President Lincoln’s Cot- This project is presented with financial tage at the Armed Services Retirement assistance from the West Virginia Hu- Home in Washington, DC. Dr. Medford manities Council, a state affiliate of the is a 2009 special bicentennial recipient National Endowment for the Humanities. of the Order of Lincoln, an award given Any views, findings, conclusions or rec- by the state of Illinois, for her scholar- ommendations do not necessarily reflect ship on the president. those of the West Virginia Humanities Council or the National Endowment for Schedule subject to change. Visit the park Top to bottom: Dr. David Levering Lewis, the Humanities. website for updates at nps.gov/hafe. Dr. Edna Medford.

Recent Donations: Dr. Robert Johnson, D.D.S. Master Armorer Todd Gerken American Public University Harpers Ferry, WV Members: Castle Rock, CO System Alice Keesey Mecoy Allison Alsdorf Karen and Lawrence Goering ENVISION Allen, TX Harpers Ferry, WV St. Louis, MO Cynthia Gayton Nancy Myers, in Honor of Joseph Andrews, III Deborah Hale James Silvia Don Campbell Rockville, MD Harpers Ferry, WV Jefferson County Black Harpers Ferry, WV Carolyn Blocker Rebecca Harriett History Preservation Jim and Suzanne Silvia Crofton, MD Berryville, VA Society, Inc. Taunton, MA and Harpers Kirk Bradley Dan Jimeno and Sarah Shafer The Nora Roberts Foundation Ferry, WV Sanford, NC Harpers Ferry, WV Ed Wheeless and Chris Craig Karl Buchspics Michael Kalis Donations in Memory of Harpers Ferry, WV Willow Grove, PA Falls Church, VA Clarence “Ki” Faulkner: Donald and Patricia Burgess Michael Keller Paul K. Driessen Paymaster Members: Harpers Ferry, WV Marietta, GA Carol Gallant Thomas Burger Carole Powell Carter Anne A. Long Robyn Harrison-Taft Baltimore, MD Harpers Ferry, WV Myersville, MD David A. Keene Mike Hegarty Hon. and Mrs. Thomas Curtis Reid Jackson May Richard and Peggy Our Lady of Sorrows School and Family Washington, DC MacDonald Farmington, MI Baltimore, MD Don Mundey Donald and Lynne Bruce Kramer Chris Dove Hagerstown, MD Mutersbaugh Baltimore, MD Harpers Ferry, WV Catherine Oliver John Madigan Kim and Frank Edwards Harpers Ferry, WV Armory Superintendent Harpers Ferry, WV Edgewood, MD Linda Parks Members: Cynthia Mason Scot Faulkner Washington, DC Jo Kuhn Curtis Baltimore, MD Harpers Ferry, WV Deborah Ransom Brandywine, MD Courtney Wayland Patrice Flynn Lebanon, OH Rebecca Harriett Hamilton, VA Harpers Ferry, WV George Rutherford Berryville, VA Cynthia Gayton Ranson, WV Arlington, VA Samuel and Grace Tucker Adamstown, MD 4 | The View | Fall 2017 A Brief History of Storer College, behalf, many alumni kept in touch with World War II was devastating to the continued from page 2 “Professor Mack,” some even sending school. Students left in droves to join In 1881, Frederick Douglass delivered him objects to be placed in the museum. the military and the financial situation an impassioned tribute to abolitionist Storer College did have its prob- grew ever worse. Following the land- John Brown at the school’s Anniversary lems. It was constantly wracked by mark Supreme Court ruling in Brown Day event. In 1906, activist W.E.B. Du financial strain, a situation that was not v. Board of Education, segregation in Bois led other members of the Niaga- helped by the Great Depression and two education ended, and the school lost a ra Movement at a meeting in Harpers World Wars. Allegations of racism also substantial portion of its funding. In a Ferry, again invoking John Brown and rattled the school: despite the good Mc- great twist of irony, the school opened demanding full rights of citizenship for Donald was able achieve, he and some in the wake of the freedom-granting African Americans—including an end to other white faculty were criticized for Civil War and closed at the beginning segregation. exhibiting a form of racism now called of the freedom-expanding Civil Rights Perhaps no single individual was paternalism. In essence, this view—pop- Movement. as influential on the school as Henry ular during the segregation era—held In 1955, the doors closed for good Temple McDonald. McDonald came that an African American could earn the and Storer College ceased to be. Today, to Storer College in 1899 to take up the respect of his white neighbors through students no longer crisscross the paths mantel of President of the College, a hard work and training, but true equal- of Camp Hill; the remaining build- post he would hold until 1944. Under ity was another matter. The issue came ings have been repurposed, and John his leadership, Storer saw its largest to a head following the close of World Brown’s Fort has been returned to period of growth. Dedicated to his War I, when African American veterans Lower Town. But the story of Storer mission “to emancipate the mind and enrolling at Storer College felt their College is not forgotten. The hard work soul” of African Americans who had equal sacrifices in the war entitled them of its alumni, the Harpers Ferry Park suffered under , McDonald did to full and equal rights at home. A stu- Association, and Harpers Ferry Nation- everything within his power to ensure dent strike was held in protest. McDon- al Historical Park has kept it alive. As the that his students had the best education ald, after much exasperation, was able sesquicentennial of Storer’s founding possible. He had John Brown’s Fort to make the strike go away and return is commemorated throughout 2017, the moved onto campus and turned into a to business as usual, but by 1944 it was stories of the men and women, teach- museum, of which the students would determined that McDonald had served ers and students, will come to life. The give tours. During McDonald’s tenure, long enough. That year, Dr. Richard memory of that struggle to emancipate several buildings were refurbished McKinney was appointed the college’s the mind from ignorance will continue and new facilities were established for first African American president. to inspire future generations. additional educational opportunities. Unfortunately, by that point, Storer Appreciative of his efforts on their College was not long for the world.

New in the Bookshop: Visit the Workshops Connect with us on Social Media! Storer College Gear! page on our website for Storer t-shirts, mugs, details at www.harpers- pennants, and other ferryhistory.org Twitter collectibles are now @HFParkAssoc available for purchase at Did You Know? the bookshop! We send out a month- ly e-newsletter to Upcoming HFPA keep you up to date Facebook Workshops on what is happening @HFPAssoication October 14: Grand Civic at the Association, in and Military BBQ the Bookshop, and at November 11-12: African Harpers Ferry National American Influence on Historical Park. If you Instagram Dance are not receiving these, please email us @HFPAssociation December 2-3: While Visions of Sugar at [email protected] and we will make Plums Danced in their Heads sure you don’t miss any of the wonder- ful things happening in the park!

Harpers Ferry Park Association | 5 Harpers Ferry Park Association Post Office Box 197 Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Published for the Members and Friends of the Harpers Ferry Park Association, the official Cooperating Association forHarpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Support Harpers Ferry National Historical Park!

To view detailed descriptions of our membership categories or to ❏ I am not interested in receiving member bene- join online, please visit www.harpersferryhistory.org fits, but I would like to make a contribution in the amount of ______to aid the mission of the ❏ I wish to join the Harpers Ferry Park Association (new member) Harpers Ferry Park Association. ❏ I wish to renew my membership (renewal) ❏ I am a Charter Member and would like to make Please enroll me in the following member category (check one): a donation of ______. ❏ $25 Armory Worker – Basic membership for a family. ❏ Check if this is a new address for you. ❏ $25 Sarah Jane Foster – An alternative basic membership for educa- tors. ______Name ❏ $50 Millwright – For those members who are frequent visitors to the park. ______❏ $100 Master Armorer – A supporting membership category. Address

❏ $250 Paymaster – For businesses, vendors or family donors who ______wish to contribute to the Association’s mission. City State Zip ❏ $500 Armory Superintendent – For supporters (individual and corporate) who wish to perpetuate Association and Park education ______programs. Telephone

Please clip and mail with check or money order to: ______Harpers Ferry Park Association Phone: (304) 535-6881 E-mail P.O. Box 197 Fax: (304) 535-6749 Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Email: [email protected] 6 | The View | Fall 2017