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Featured Oral History

Joan Groves Briscoe 

b. June 12, 1942

First Black Student to attend Great Mills High School in St. Mary’s County, a pioneer for integration in Southern Maryland.

“I remember some kids calling us names and saying ugly things. Saying what they were going to do to us and that type of thing.
But I don’t remember a whole lot about that, I really don’t. I remember the teachers being very kind and very good to us. There were only a few teachers that had segregation on their mind...”
                                          -- Joan Groves Briscoe – 8/8/2007
 

UCAC

Ū’  sÄ“  Ä€’   sÄ“

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.

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U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center

 Open Wednesdays and Saturdays in February from 10 AM until 2 PM

-   Free Admission   -

In partnership with St. Mary's County Museum Division

Located at 21675 S. Coral Place, Lexington Park, MD

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Drayden One-Room Schoolhouse

Open 1st and 3rd Saturdays - April through October from 11 am to 2 pm

   -   Free Admission   -

In partnership with St. Mary's County Museum Division

Located at 18287 Cherryfield Rd, Drayden, MD 20630

 

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Teacher Ralph Butler with 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes, Banneker Elementary School, Hollywood Maryland, 1949

“We can best predict where we're going if we first reflect on where we've been.”

               -Ralph Ignatius Butler, Sr. (1915-2003)

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