Welcome! Welcome to Howard University, "The Mecca," "The Hilltop," "The Black Harvard," you may wish to call it something else, but it is an institution I have grown to call home. Certainly Howard University is among the many landmarks which our nation's capital has to offer, though probably one of the most important to African Americans. The entire campus has been the site of many historical events that changed the fate of present day, thus creating an African American Heritage Trail. The picture above is the most popular attraction of Howard's campus, "The Yard" onlooking Founders Library and Moorland and Spingarn Research Center.
Founders Library and Moorland Spingard Research Center preserves, collects and offers an abundance of historical texts, artifacts, and archival collections of the culture of the people of African descent. Once you enter Founders Library, there is a 3-dimensional map of the campus and many archive classrooms and book rooms.
I did not have to go very far to see the next location on the African American Heritage Trail. Everyday, when taking the shuttle to campus down the infamous Georgia Avenue, I frequently see this old-looking white house on the hill. I had figured it held some importance because it seemed to be there for a long period of time, certainly it did. Howard Hall (http://www.howard.edu/images/photos/howard-hall225.jpg) lies behind the university's administration building, aside from the School of Social Work. It was one of Howard University's first four buildings, and is named after its founder, General Howard. The building currently serves as the University's Alumni Center.
The Gallery of Art in Childers Hall has a display of plentiful paintings and other art work from both national and international artists. Having spent 4 semesters on this campus and this was the first occasion that I visited it. Colleagues I know who are in the Division of Fine Arts here at Howar University fall nothing short of talent, therefore, it was not very surprising to see the incredible exhibition Childers had to offer.
More on the Gallery of Art can be seen at: http://www.howard.edu/library/Art@Howard/GoA/generalinfo.htm
The last point of interest on my African American Heritage Trail around the Howard University campus was the now-demolished Howard University Hospital/Griffith Stadium site. The Griffith Stadium was the home of a couple of Washington based and Negro League baseball teams.
This shows a 1966 aerial view of the baseball diamond of the Griffith Stadium.
A fairly recent establishment, the Howard University Hospital was built on site in 1975, providing a health care resort for African Americans in the community of Washington.
Finally, we come to a close on the heritage trail. The grounds on which I walk and see everyday functioned as the key sites of reform in Black history and will continue to make history as the Howard University students, like myself who create social change without knowing it. In one year, I hope I have the priviledge of calling this establishment my alma mater; now and forever, Howard University will be in my heart.
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