The Union Literary Institute was founded in 1846 by Quakers and free African-Americans during a time where only white students were privileged to go to public schools. Despite the Quaker influence, the school was non-religious. Later, the institute became a regular schoolhouse.
The noted abolitionist Levi Coffin served on the board of the Union Literary Institute when its managers first met in 18451. Although the school was mostly funded by donations, students over the age of fourteen were allowed to pay for their studies by working on the surrounding farm2.
Greensfork Township began giving financial assistance to the Union Literary Institute around 1874, and officials designated it as a rural schoolhouse to serve the township’s District 133. Poor white students attended classes at the Union Literary Institute, but the school was referred to by what we would now call derogatory terms in an 1892 history of Indiana’s education4.
The institution closed in 1911 so its students could attend classes at the consolidated school in Spartanburg. Thirteen years later, the school’s grounds were deeded back to the institute’s trustees. The property was sold again in 19375.
Eventually, the cupola and second story of the institute’s main building’s were removed. In 2010, the structure was purchased by the Union Literary Institute Preservation Society6. Today, what remains of the building is stabilized and awaiting further restorative outreach. Eventually, I’ll write a greater article about this important piece of Indiana history.
Sources Cited
1 Emery, M. M. (December 12, 2016). Grant will help save Randolph County historic site. The Richmond Palladium-Item. Web. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
2 Union Literary Institute (2019). Atlas Obscura. Web. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
3 Hinshaw, G. (2008). A History of Education in Randolph County, Indiana. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
4 Boone, R.G. (1892). A History of education in Indiana. book, D. Appletons.
5 (See footnote 4).
6 Saving Places That Tell the Story of Indiana’s Black History (2021). Indiana Lnadmarks. Web. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
This is an interesting part of indiana education history that should be better known than it is.
One of my goals next year is to have a much more in-depth article. I agree!