University of Maryland Eastern Shore—Princess Anne: Nine Students and a Lasting Vision
On September 13, 1886, nine students enrolled at a small school in Princess Anne, Maryland. They were welcomed by educators Benjamin O. Bird and his wife, Portia Lovett Bird. That institution, originally known as the Delaware Conference Academy, would become the University of Maryland Eastern Shore—UMES. About
Founded under the Methodist Episcopal Church, the academy began in a converted farmhouse on 16 acres. It operated as a branch of Baltimore’s Centenary Biblical Institute, which later became Morgan College. Its purpose was to expand educational opportunities for Black students on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The 125th Anniversary of UMES
Those first students arrived at a time when segregation and racial discrimination sharply restricted Black educational opportunities. Their school represented an investment in learning, professional preparation, and the future of surrounding communities.
The Second Morrill Act of 1890 helped shape the institution’s development. Federal support for agricultural and related education brought funding to Maryland, strengthening its land-grant mission. Over time, the school became known as Princess Anne Academy. About
Its name and academic scope continued to evolve. In 1948, it became Maryland State College. On July 1, 1970, it adopted the name University of Maryland Eastern Shore. These changes marked its growth from an academy to a university with a much broader educational mission. About
UMES expanded beyond its early school-level instruction to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Its development encompassed the liberal arts, sciences, health professions, and teacher education, while retaining its historic commitment to access and service. The 125th Anniversary of UMES
Descendants of the Taken Ones—UMES honors the generations who built educational opportunity from modest beginnings. In 1886, nine students entered a farmhouse classroom. Their school became a lasting institution whose history is part of the broader story of Black learning, determination, and community advancement. Thank you for your time. To support the channel. Please like, share, and subscribe, and pass this along to your family and friends. Remember: information kept to yourself is lost over time, but shared information becomes enduring knowledge. People who lose control of their history can be led to believe they never contributed anything.
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