Our Forefathers: The Founders of Morgan State
Brian Cox
Issue date: 2/8/02 Section: Campus Life
In 1867, thirteen men had a vision. Their mission was to serve and prepare African-American people of the greater Baltimore area and the nation. The vision emphasized training young black men for ministry, and eventually expanded to include developing both men and women for higher education. Their thoughts, aspirations and actions would shape African-American men and women for the next 135 years. That vision is what is now known as Morgan State University.
Morgan State University was founded as the Centenary Biblical Institute in the basement of The Sharp Street Methodist Church in 1867. But very little is known about the thirteen men that introduced a concept that became this historic university located at Cold Spring Lane and Hillen Road. These men, Thomas Kelso, Francis A. Crook, William Daniel, Esq., Henry W. Drakely, Rev. William Harden, Hugh L. Bond, Rev. James H. Brown, Isaac P. Cook, Rev. Samuel Hindes, William B. Hill, Rev. John Lanahan, Rev. Charles A. Reid, and Rev. Robert Turner, were the base of The Institute.
Each of these men played a vital role in constructing and putting support into The Institute. It was used as a school for free blacks who had been enslaved only two years earlier.
The men met at the beginning of 1867 to discuss the details that would be necessary to make the Institute a success. By the mid-1867, plans were fully underway to incorporate The Centenary Biblical Institute.
On November 27, 1867, The Act of Incorporation was made, including articles of incorporation that were signed by founders Kelso, Lanahan, Hill, Daniel, Drakeley, Brown and Crook. The school began operation with a recorded treasury of $5,633.63. This was the first major step in the history of Morgan State.
On December 17, 1867, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held. Thomas Kelso was the first president of the Board and the meetings were held at his office on 19 South Street. In the first official year of operation, the Board of Trustees met frequently and came up with many important actions and decisions. Applicants were allowed admission in order to study for theological training. The Board also included appointments of “colored” professors, who were ministers, for classes at the Institute. The Institute also paid the tuition and purchased books for all students. Among those who taught the first classes at the Biblical Institute were founders Rev. Harden and Issac P. Cook.
Morgan State University was founded as the Centenary Biblical Institute in the basement of The Sharp Street Methodist Church in 1867. But very little is known about the thirteen men that introduced a concept that became this historic university located at Cold Spring Lane and Hillen Road. These men, Thomas Kelso, Francis A. Crook, William Daniel, Esq., Henry W. Drakely, Rev. William Harden, Hugh L. Bond, Rev. James H. Brown, Isaac P. Cook, Rev. Samuel Hindes, William B. Hill, Rev. John Lanahan, Rev. Charles A. Reid, and Rev. Robert Turner, were the base of The Institute.
Each of these men played a vital role in constructing and putting support into The Institute. It was used as a school for free blacks who had been enslaved only two years earlier.
The men met at the beginning of 1867 to discuss the details that would be necessary to make the Institute a success. By the mid-1867, plans were fully underway to incorporate The Centenary Biblical Institute.
On November 27, 1867, The Act of Incorporation was made, including articles of incorporation that were signed by founders Kelso, Lanahan, Hill, Daniel, Drakeley, Brown and Crook. The school began operation with a recorded treasury of $5,633.63. This was the first major step in the history of Morgan State.
On December 17, 1867, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held. Thomas Kelso was the first president of the Board and the meetings were held at his office on 19 South Street. In the first official year of operation, the Board of Trustees met frequently and came up with many important actions and decisions. Applicants were allowed admission in order to study for theological training. The Board also included appointments of “colored” professors, who were ministers, for classes at the Institute. The Institute also paid the tuition and purchased books for all students. Among those who taught the first classes at the Biblical Institute were founders Rev. Harden and Issac P. Cook.
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corshin239
Donna M. Muse
posted 3/16/11 @ 8:37 PM EST
hello
Is it possible to find a list of the staff who taught at Centenary Biblical college, Morgan College, and Morgan State college?
I am trying to find some information about my grandfather, who I am told taught Music at Morgan in its early years. (Continued…)
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