Featured Oral History

"The PTA’s in elementary schools used to be packed. They used to be packed in the high schools. Parents came to find out what was going on and what they could do to help.

Retired teacher Elvare Gaskin stands outside of the St. Inigoes two-room schoolhouse, c1990. Courtesy of Andrea Hammer.

"They built schools like that. The first Jarboesville School was built. It was done by the parents. Children brought bricks. They had a brick contest, and they said some of the students were taking bricks out of their parents’ chimneys [laughter] to build this first Jarboesville High School! Parents and teachers worked together”. ~Elvare Smith Gaskin from her interview with Merideth Taylor on January 29, 1997. Excerpt from page 36 of the transcript.

Elvare Gaskin page

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UCAC

Ū’ sē Ā’ sē

Recognizing the contributions of African Americans within St. Mary's County, Maryland. Our commitment is to build pathways and structures linking the past to the present, and celebrating the great accomplishments of those who have been left out of historical accounts.