Stanley Institute, One-room school and history museum in Dorchester County, United States
The Stanley Institute is a schoolhouse from 1865 in Dorchester County that displays original features like wooden floors, period furniture, and traditional blackboards. The space gives a sense of what classroom instruction looked like in rural Maryland during the 19th century.
The school was founded right after the Civil War in 1865 to teach Black children in a state where segregated schools were required by law. This founding moment marks the beginning of Black education in this region.
The building shows how rural schools taught and operated in the 19th century, particularly for Black students after the Civil War. The preserved materials and teaching tools tell stories about how children learned and the struggles they overcame in this era.
The building is located on Church Street and is open for visits with guided tours available. It helps to check visiting times in advance and book a tour to get the most from your visit.
The building stands at its original location, making it a rare example of a schoolhouse that has survived in place for over 150 years. Scholars now use it as a research center to study the history of Black education in the 19th century.
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