To honor Black History Month celebration, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce will highlight West Virginia landmarks that have made important contributions to Black History. These sites hold deep significance, telling stories of resilience, achievement, and cultural impact that have helped shape the history of our state.

Storer College

Storer College, located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, holds a significant place in Black history as a beacon of education and opportunity for African Americans during the post-Civil War era.

Founded in 1867 as West Virginia’s first Historic Black College, it was established by the Freewill Baptists to provide education to freedmen and their descendants at a time when educational opportunities for African Americans were severely limited.

The college became a center of learning and intellectual growth, playing a critical role in the advancement of African American education and empowerment.

Notably, in 1906, Storer College hosted the Second Niagara Movement meeting, which was a precursor to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This event underscored the college's enduring legacy as a catalyst for change and progress in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Storer College operated for 88 years before closing in 1955. In 1962, the National Park Service took over the campus, which is now part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. In 2022, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the Storer College National Alumni Association hosted an event to celebrate the 155th anniversary of the college's establishment. 

*Photo credit: Harpers Ferry National Historic Park & WVU Libraries