Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, Inc

Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, Inc Wiley H. Bates High School was the only secondary school for African American students in AAC, MD. This school complex was begun in the early 1930s. The Wiley H.

The first portion was completed in 1932 and replaced the original Annapolis Colored High School, which had been located in the Stanton School on West Washington Street. The original part of the building is a flat-roofed, two-story building of brick and masonry bearing walls and wood frame floor and roof structure. A center, the double-loaded corridor runs north-south the entire length of the build

ing with classrooms, lavatories, and stairs on the western side, and classrooms, library, offices, and a two-story auditorium on the eastern side. The second-floor corridor opened to the two-story auditorium space as a gallery. First-floor classrooms were added to both the north and south in 1937, and second-floor classrooms were added in 1945. The major architectural treatment is reserved for the auditorium section which is embellished with three segment-ally arched windows, a low cast stone belt course, and a pattern of pilasters and panels; the remainder of the building facade is relieved with cast stone belt courses and ganged double hung windows. The resource achieved its current configuration in 1950 when additional teaching facilities were added. The most recent portion of the building is also of masonry construction and is completed in a simplified International or Modern style. The entire building complex continued in use until 1981. Bates High School is of exceptional significance in the history of the development of public education for African Americans in Anne Arundel County. From the time the school was built in 1932 until 1966, when the Anne Arundel County public school system was finally desegregated, the Wiley H. Bates High School was the only public school in the county, which African-American students could attend for a secondary level education. The 1932 building was expanded in 1937, 1945, and 1950 to accommodate increasing enrollment. In each building campaign, facilities that equaled or exceeded those available to white students were provided. These expansions and remodeling represent the response of the county to the "separate but equal" doctrine, which was applied to public facilities in the first half of the 20th century. http://www.mht.maryland.gov/nr/NRDetail.aspx?HDID=1125&COUNTY=Anne%20Arundel&FROM=NRCountyList.aspx?COUNTY=Anne%20Arundel

Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Wiley H. Bates Gala. Please see flyer below for more information about this event....
09/04/2025

Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Wiley H. Bates Gala. Please see flyer below for more information about this event. Thank you again for supporting us last year.

05/28/2025
02/14/2025

❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day from the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center! ❤️

Love has always been the heart and soul of Wiley H. Bates High School and our community—guiding, uniting, and inspiring each generation of students.

Today, we’re excited to share something truly special: our Wiley H. Bates High School Love Letter Video. 💌

Watch as our alumni reflect on the love that shaped their experiences, friendships, and education at Bates, and how that love continues to inspire their journeys today.

Let’s celebrate the enduring power of love in our school community!

Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area Maryland State Archives

Annual Brick Sale is Happening Now. Just go to our webpage at whbateslegacycenter.org/annual-brick-sale-happening-now t...
05/24/2024

Annual Brick Sale is Happening Now. Just go to our webpage at whbateslegacycenter.org/annual-brick-sale-happening-now to complete the form and order your brick. Thank you in advance for your support.

We are calling all Wiley H. Bates High School Graduates to come, tell your story and share your legacy! The Board of Dir...
09/30/2023

We are calling all Wiley H. Bates High School Graduates to come, tell your story and share your legacy!

The Board of Directors of the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center invites you to sign up for a time to be recorded and be a part of the Oral History project!

RSVP

At

410-263-1860

[email protected]

09/17/2023

Will you leave a legacy?

Thank you for your interest in the important mission of Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center. Every gift is important to us and shows that you share our vision. If Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center is one of your most important charitable causes, you can make it part of your legacy. When you remember Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center in your will, you leave a lasting legacy to your values as you help continue our work far into the future.

Scanning and Quilting Sessions AnnouncedDuring our last session on July 25, we continued to view and evaluate photos and...
08/08/2023

Scanning and Quilting Sessions Announced

During our last session on July 25, we continued to view and evaluate photos and other memorabilia that was shared by committee members. Our next scanning session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, 2023 from 9 am to 3 pm. We hope that you will continue to bring in photos and documents from your Bates experience that tell the story and allow us to scan them for the quilts.



Our next quilting meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:00 pm at Bates Legacy Center. Remember if you are not able to attend our meetings, you may bring items to the Center Monday - Friday from 11 am to 4 pm or email copies to [email protected]. Please share this email with all of our interested partners. We hope to see you tomorrow.

County Executive Pittman Announces $2 Million for Community Grants.We are on the list! #66For the complete details and ...
07/31/2023

County Executive Pittman Announces $2 Million for Community Grants.

We are on the list! #66

For the complete details and award amounts for the Community Support Grants, click here.

At a press conference held at the Chesapeake Arts Center, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced the 69 community-based organizations selected to receive grant funding through the …

During our last session on July 11, we started the scanning process from items that were brought in. For our next sessi...
07/21/2023

During our last session on July 11, we started the scanning process from items that were brought in. For our next session, we hope that you will continue to bring in Memorabilia, photos and documents from their Bates experience that tell the story and allow us to scan them for the quilts. We also want to review the yearbooks that we have in our archives for memories.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25, 4:00 pm at Bates Legacy Center. If you are not able to attend our meetings, you may bring items to the Center Monday - Friday from 11 am to 4 pm or email them to [email protected]. Please find a copy of our WHBLC Documentary Story Quilt Project Consent Release Form attached to this email. Please share this email with all of our interested partners. We hope to see you next week.

Address

1101 Smithville Street
Annapolis, MD
21401

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 4pm
Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+14102631860

Website

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