The Memphis Baptist and Normal Institute was a

historically Black college Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African-American community. Mo ...

founded in 1888 by Peter Howe of Illinois. It was one of the earliest private educational facilities for

African Americans African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

in Memphis. The date it changed name to Howe Institute is unknown, but it was before 1910. In 1902 Thomas O. Fuller, a prominent author, church and civil leader, and person for whom

T. O. Fuller State Park T.O. Fuller State Park is a state park in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, USA. It consists of of mostly forest located in South Memphis on Mitchell Road. It is the only state park within the city limits and is suitable for wildlife. The park i ...

was named, was named principal. The campus consisted of the original Howe Building, then an Industrial Shop, which gave space for the printing and sewing departments, and then a Teacher's College building, along with the Clara Howe Dormitory for girls. The Institute also did settlement work. In 1908 there were 12 faculty besides Reverend Fuller, and its departments were: Literary, Industrial (sewing, printing, basketry), Ministerial, Missionary Training, and Stenography and Typewriting. The Howe Institute had no endowment and relied on support from tuitions and donations. In the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

, declining support forced its closure. Howe sold its buildings and merged with LeMoyne College in 1937.

Notable alumni

* Richard Wright, American author of novels, short stories, poems, and non-fiction *

Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Mordecai Wyatt Johnson (January 4, 1890 – September 10, 1976) was an American educator and pastor. He served as the first African-American president of Howard University, from 1926 until 1960. Johnson has been considered one of the three lead ...

, first black president of Howard University

References

External links

* {{coord missing, Tennessee Schools in Shelby County, Tennessee African-American history of Tennessee Buildings and structures in Shelby County, Tennessee 1888 establishments in Tennessee 1937 disestablishments in Tennessee Historically black universities and colleges in Tennessee