Union Literary Institute

The Union Literary Institute occupied 174 acres in Randolph County, with 100 acres devoted to farming and separate facilities for male and female students. The school integrated academic learning with hands-on agricultural work as part of its educational model.

The school was founded in 1846 by abolitionist Quakers and free black men in response to Indiana's 1843 law banning black students from public education. This founding represented an act of resistance against racial barriers in schooling.

Students created The Students' Repository, a quarterly publication from 1863 to 1864 that discussed education and social progress through their writing. This student-run magazine reflected the community's commitment to intellectual growth and sharing ideas.

Students over 14 worked four hours daily in farm tasks to help pay for their education rather than through tuition fees. The grounds were designed around a working farm model that required active participation from the student body.

This was Indiana's first school to accept both black and white students, with three quarters of its enrollment being African American. This remarkable mix made it a pioneer for integrated education in the state.

Inception: 1846

GPS coordinates: 40.07722,-84.81639

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:42