AAMU History Presentation

A bill passed in 1873 to establish a colored normal school at Huntsville to train Negro teachers. With an appropriation of $1,000.00 and 61 students, the school opened on May 1, 1875, on Franklin Street in downtown Huntsville. It was known as the Huntsville Normal School. The first class graduated in 1877. Dr. Councill and the teachers agreed to give up a portion of their salaries to purchase another building. Dr. Councill gave up all of his salary for 10 years. In 1881, the school moved to its first school property on West Clinton, where the Von Braun Center is currently located. The enrollment had doubled to 133 students.

PLAQUE MARKING THE ORIGINAL LOCATION IN HUNTSVILLE… VON BRAUN CIVIC CENTER Alabama A&M first owned property Alabama A&M original site was located off of Clinton Ave. downtown Huntsville, Alabama.

DR. WILLIAM HOOPER COUNCILL, FOUNDER AND FIRST PRESIDENT Dr. Councill was born a slave in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His father escaped to Canada and tried to purchase his family’s freedom. However, Dr. Councill, his mother and two brothers were sold to Judge D. C. Humphreys who took them to Stevenson, AL. Dr. Councill attended a school founders by Quakers. He founded the Lincoln in 1869.

WILLIAM SOLOMON BUCHANAN SECOND PRESIDENT: “Dreamer/Patriot” 1909

School’s motto “Service is Sovereignty” introduced University hired first chef, Robert Prentice Hall

1911

McCormick (Hospital Hall) and Councill Domestic Sciences Buildings erected Baseball received major emphasis Troops to World War I effort *** Dr. Councill’s son-in-law ***

Loyalist 1925

50th anniversary celebration (official seal introduced) University colors were chosen

The first unit of Grayson Hall and a 3 room elementary school were built Struggled to pay off $40,000 owed

1929

1932 1936 1939 1940 1942 1948 1949

JOSEPH FANNING DRAKE: The Builder The Student Government Association (SGA) was founded Councill Hall constructed Bibb Graves Hall constructed (Governor Bibb Graves, one on all state campuses) The institution became an accredited junior college President’s home and the historic Green Bottom Inn were destroyed by fire President’s new home, Hillcrest completed The school became a four-year college, granting degrees in agriculture, home economics teacher training.

The old stadium was completed Intercollegiate track and field began and the vocational building constructed Intercollegiate tennis began; Hurt Hall and Councill Training Building were constructed College’s central telephone system was installed; Intercollegiate basketball started Institution’s name changed to A & M College with Junior College status

The Educator 1962 1963 1965 1966 1968 1969 1970 1975 1977

Electronics and drafting were added to the curriculum and mechanics continued Prentice Dinning Hall was completed AAMU becomes fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Intercollegiate soccer began Hopkins Hall along with Thomas hall were completed Learning Resources Center constructed (named for former president Drake) and George Washington Carver Complex completed The college achieved university status, thus becoming Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) Office of Alumni Affairs established University observed Centennial Elmore Health Sciences Building constructed Volleyball for women began

Marketer • Concrete foundations on all buildings were painted white and the silver letters which were used in the names on the outside of the building were changed to black • The president’s house and several other buildings were renovated • University announced approval of Ph.D. program in Physics

ONLY ALUMUS TO BE PRESIDENT: The Planner • Served as interim from 1987-1989 • Several old buildings were renovated • Salary scale for all employees was developed • University College established Ph.D. program in plant and soil science was established

The Stabilizer • Foster Living & Learning Complex completed • New School of Business construction began • West Campus Living & Learning Complex construction began Lewis Crews Stadium construction began

The Expansionist • Councill Challenge fund raising campaign launched • Summer mini session began • AAMU joins Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) • AAMU Research Institute started • AAMU observes its 125th anniversary celebration • AAMU fund raising efforts earn it the distinction of lead institution in the Tom Joyner Foundation/HBCU program • School of Engineering & Technology constructed • Agricultural Research Center construction began

CARNEGIE HALL/LIBRARY

CARNEGIE/ LIBRARY/BAND BUILDING

FIRST ROTC BRIGADE/ MARCHING MAROON AND WHITE BAND

ROTC PARADE

MIGHTY BULLDOGS

BASEBALL TEAM

ALL STUDENTS WORE UNIFORMS

McCORMICK/WILSON/BLACK ARCHIVES

MARCHING BAND/W. C. HANDY W.C. Handy, ca. 1900, Director of the Alabama Agriculture & Mechanical College Band William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873 – March 28, 1958) an American blues composer and musician. He was widely known as the "Father of the Blues" The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in Florence, Alabama

James Wilson Hall / State Black Archives today

FOUNDER’S GRAVE/FOUNDER’S DAY

The Green Bottom Inn was one of the first hostelries in Alabama. Built in 1815 by the owner and Revolutionary War soldier, John Connelly, he would entertain many political figures including three United States Presidents: James K. Polk, James Monroe, and Andrew Jackson. Later, Green Bottom Inn became the home of W. H. Councill, and would be the designated home for presidents leading Alabama A&M College until 1931, when the inn burned. Today, the only remnants that remain is the inn's wall.

CENTER OF CAMPUS

Presently ~ Where all the Greek Stones are located

WEEKLY CAMPUS PARADE– All students required to participate/reported to President/faculty fined for each student

BASEBALL TEAM/FIRST ORGANIZED INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORT

NURSING STUDENTS IN UNIFORM

MCCORMICK Formerly the UNIVERSITY INFIRMARY Presently the ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

BELL TOWER: CENTER OF CAMPUS Legend has it that the university's bell tower is situated on the precise spot where Councill was sold into slavery and where he vowed to return to make the land a productive place for his people.

AAMU came into being as the result of an 1873 bill passed in the Alabama State Legislature that established "a State Normal School and University for the Education of the Colored Teachers First Graduating Class of Huntsville Normal School and Students," provided that the president and trustees of the school placed it at the disposal of the state.

BELL TOWER AND SPRING/ Original source of water for the campus.

THE BELL: Served as time-keeper for classes and workers on campus

DAILY SCHEDULE/EVERY STUDENT HAD A JOB/Lights out meant ALL lights out!!

MACHINE SHOP

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR/J. F. DRAKE

Palmer Hall was constructed ca. 1891.

This multi-use facility served in the following areas: Administration, Classroom, Auditorium, and Dormitory

Councill Hall

Palmer Hall today

McCORMICK/ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

BIBB GRAVES/ADMINISTRATION BUILDING/SOCIAL WORK

The Quad: The Old Famous Race Track In the 1800's John Connelly, the owner of the property, built a private race track that attracted many aristocratic statesmen and notable politicians.

Among them would be former United States President Andrew Jackson. President Jackson bet Connelly $20,000 that his Gray Gander horse could defeat the owners fastest thoroughbred. Unfortunately for President Jackson, his horse would be defeated here on the historic campus of Alabama A&M University.