Client:	National Park Service, Harpers Ferry West Virginia
Status:	Historic Resource Study - Final Draft submitted (publication pending)

The Storer College Historic Resource Study was a two-year historic research and resource assessment project conducted by Horizon Research Consultants, Inc. under contract to the National Park Service. The goal of the study was to conduct historical research on the former Storer College, using available primary document sources, and complete a study of the nature and significance of this school and it buildings. This study will guide the National Park Service in future planning for the interpretation and use of this important cultural resource.

Storer College, which operated from 1867-1955, was the first school of higher education for African Americans in the State of West Virginia. Founded by the Freewill Baptists, the school was located on Camp Hill on the outskirts of the town of Harpers Ferry. Plagued by hardships and financial difficulties, Storer still produced thousands of graduates, many of whom became teachers, professionals, and leaders of the African American community. When the school closed in 1955, its remaining records, which consisted of hundreds of boxes of documents, were transferred to the West Virginia History and Regional Collection at West Virginia University. The majority of the research for this project was conducted there, although research was also conducted at several other document repositories.

The final report submitted consisted of a 200-page historic resource study report which detailed the history of the school and its buildings, as well as its significance for African American education.

Lockwood House

1893 Graduate Class