How a Bankrupt White College’s Campus Became “The Capstone of Negro Education” After the Civil War

Howard University

General Oliver Howard never expected a university to bear his name, but in 1867, that’s exactly what happened when religious leaders founded Howard University.

Born from post-Civil War idealism and a $500 donation, this school would become the crown jewel of Black higher education.

Here’s the full story, and how this National Historic Landmark continues to inspire visitors today.

The Congregational Church Meeting That Started It All

Eleven members of the First Congregational Church met at Henry Brewster’s home on November 20, 1866. They planned to create a school for Black ministers after four million slaves gained freedom.

Their vision grew within weeks to include training teachers through “The Theological and Normal Institute.” These normal schools prepared teachers with standard methods.

The group quickly expanded their plan beyond religious training to build a complete university. General Howard, who helped start this church at 10th and G Streets, joined their ambitious project.

The Congressional Charter Makes History

President Andrew Johnson signed Howard University’s charter on March 2, 1867. This document named seventeen founding trustees, including General Howard.

The charter created six departments: normal and preparatory, collegiate, theological, medicine, law, and agriculture. This plan showed great ambition when most Black schools taught only basic skills or trades.

Federal backing gave Howard special status among Black colleges. Other Black schools operated under states or churches, without direct support from the national government.

General Oliver Otis Howard’s Vision

President Johnson appointed Howard to lead the Freedmen’s Bureau in May 1865. Howard used Bureau money to buy the first three-acre campus.

Other soldiers called Howard the “Christian General” because of his strong faith. He believed education would help freed people gain independence and full citizenship.

Howard became the university’s third president from 1869 to 1874. He pushed for both liberal arts and professional training, unlike many schools that only taught trades to Black students.

First Students and Early Classes

Howard University opened on May 1, 1867, teaching five white women whose fathers helped found the school. This acceptance of female students showed forward thinking for that time.

The small campus sat on a hill with a grove of trees overlooking Washington. Students attended classes in one building while workers constructed more.

Black students soon joined, fulfilling the school’s main purpose. By 1872, Howard had taught thousands of freed people everything from reading to professional skills.

The Original Campus Takes Shape

The first university building featured three stories and a tower with a distinctive roof. This structure, later named Howard Hall, contained sixteen rooms for classes and offices. Builders used hollow white bricks for all early campus buildings.

These special bricks kept rooms better insulated and aired while costing less than solid bricks. The Washington Evening Star described Howard Hall as a “Mexican castle” when completed on November 29, 1867.

Today, Howard Hall stands as the only survivor of the four original buildings.

The Freedmen’s Bureau Financial Support

The Freedmen’s Bureau gave over $500,000 to Howard University between 1867 and 1872. This money bought land and paid for new buildings.

The Bureau also built 45 hospitals and schools for 150,000 freed slaves across the country. Howard received special attention because General Howard ran the Bureau.

When Congress closed the Bureau in 1872, the money stopped. Howard got no more federal funds until 1879, when Congress approved a small yearly payment.

The First Academic Departments

The Medical Department opened on November 5, 1868, at the First Congregational Church. This program trained doctors to serve Black communities that faced discrimination at other hospitals.

The Theological Department started in 1870 with money from the American Missionary Association. This religious group funded many schools for freed people.

John Mercer Langston, a well-known abolitionist, started the Law Department in 1869. The Preparatory Department began in 1868 to prepare students for college courses.

The First African American Faculty and Students

George B. Vashon became Howard’s first Black teacher in 1867-1868. He taught evening classes so working students could attend.

When medical classes began on November 9, 1868, seven Black students and one white student enrolled. James Bowen and George Brooks graduated as two of the first Black doctors in 1871.

James Monroe Gregory, one of the first two Black graduates, stayed to teach Latin and math. By 1876, he became a full professor, starting a tradition of Black leadership at Howard.

Howard’s Unique Educational Mission

Howard focused on graduate and professional education from the start. This approach differed from other Black schools that taught only basic or industrial skills.

The university opened the first Black law school in 1869. Black lawyers were desperately needed to protect civil rights and fight unfair laws after the Civil War.

Howard trained ministers, teachers, and doctors from the newly freed slave population. These professions served Black communities and helped graduates build stable careers.

Early Graduates and Their Impact

James Thompson Wormley earned a pharmacy degree and opened Washington’s first Black-owned pharmacy. His success showed how education could create business opportunities.

Charlotte E. Ray finished law school in 1872, becoming the first Black woman to graduate from any American law school. She then became the first woman allowed to practice law in the District of Columbia.

John Cook graduated with the first theology class in 1871 and later returned as dean of the law school. Many early graduates came back to teach, building a legacy across generations.

Visiting Howard University

Howard University is located at 2400 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20059. You can take guided campus tours Monday through Friday at select times, available by registration on the admissions website.

Visit the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center in Founders Library to explore exhibits about Howard’s founding and development.

The center houses university archives, historical photographs, and artifacts from Howard’s early days. The Historic Yard (Main Quadrangle) serves as the heart of campus where you can walk the same grounds as early students from 1867.

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