A Message of Inclusion, A History of Exclusion: Racial Injustice at the Peabody Institute
"A Message of Inclusion, A History of Exclusion: Racial Injustice at the Peabody Institute" is a paper examining Peabody's exclusion of African-American students. With a focus on the years 1924-1968, the paper also reflects on more recent efforts to increase diversity at Peabody. The online exhibit of the same name serves as a digital appendix to the paper, displaying images and documents from the Peabody Archives.
Sarah Thomas
2019 September 16
Anne Wiggins Brown with George Peabody Medal
Because of her race, soprano Anne Wiggins Brown was not allowed to enroll at the Peabody Conservatory as a college student in 1928, and enrolled at Juilliard instead. In 1998, she received the George Peabody Medal for her contribution to music in America.
Anne Wiggins Brown with George Peabody Medal, Folder 13 1998 Anne Brown - George Peabody Medal (color), Anne Brown Collection, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University.
Baltimore Adult Activities Council Discussion Agenda
In 1943, the Baltimore Adult Activities Council held a roundtable discussion at the Enoch Pratt Library, addressing the topic of racial prejudice and how to teach children in a way that would lead to better race relations.
Baltimore Adult Activities Council
Baltimore Adult Activities Council Discussion Agenda, 1943 March 4, Baltimore Adult Activities Council 1942-43, Dean’s Correspondence 1940-1943, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University.
1943 March 4
Board of Trustees Minutes, 1949 October 18
On October 18, 1949, Peabody’s Board of Trustees discussed the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory after each member had cast their vote by letter over the preceding months. Despite William L. Marbury’s expectation that the Board would be in favor of “removing the racial barrier altogether,” they determined to admit African-American students only to the Conservatory on a case-by-case basis, excluding the Preparatory and summer programs completely.
Peabody Institute Board of Trustees
Peabody Institute Board of Trustees minutes, 1949 October 18, Minutes Vol. 7, June 20 1939 thru June 16 1952, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University, 7.
1949 October 18
Carnegie Scholarships 1940-1941
This page from the 1940-1941 Peabody Preparatory Daybook lists recipients of Carnegie Scholarships. Students from Douglass High School, a black high school before integration, are listed separately from the students enrolled at other Preparatory campuses.
Peabody Preparatory
Carnegie Scholarships 1940-1941, Folder 3 Daybook Vol. 31 1940-41, VII-1.D.5, Preparatory Daybooks 1923-1943, Arthur Friedheim Library Special Collections, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University, 77.
1940-1941
Carnegie Scholarships 1942-1943
After several years of listing Douglass High School students separately from students enrolled at other Preparatory campuses, the title was changed to “Negro Schools.” This makes it clear that these students were separated in this categorization strictly on the basis of race.
Peabody Preparatory
Carnegie Scholarships 1942-1943, Folder 5 Daybook 33 1942-43, VII-1.D.5, Preparatory Daybooks 1923-1943, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University, 73-74.
1942-1943
Choir Rehearsal in North Hall
Students in the Summer Youth Project participate in a choir rehearsal in North Hall (now Leith Symington Griswold Hall).
Choir Rehearsal in North Hall, early 1970s, Voice Students-CITA Program, Photographs, Summer Youth Project, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University.
Early 1970s
Correspondence about Conservatory Branch at Douglass High School
In January of 1954, Reginald Stewart mentioned the idea of opening a branch of the Conservatory at Douglass High School for African-American students. Peabody President William Marbury, Preparatory Dean Leah Thorpe, and Baltimore City School representatives all advised that the idea should not be acted upon because the Supreme Court was currently deciding the results of Brown v. the Board of Education.
Reginald Stewart, William L. Marbury
Correspondence about Conservatory Branch at Douglass High School, 1954 January 15 and 19, Folder 8, Box 24, Peabody Institute Board of Trustees Records, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University.
1954 January 15 and 19
Correspondence between Katherine J. Lane and Reginald Stewart
Reginald Stewart received this inquiry from Katherine J. Lane regarding the Preparatory’s policies on accepting African-American students. He then wrote to William Marbury saying, “This is obviously a test letter. I should like to have your opinion on how to answer it.” Marbury later replied with his suggestion.
Katherine J. Lane, Reginald Stewart, William Marbury
Correspondence between Katherine J. Lane and Reginald Stewart, 1054 December 8, 21, Folder 8, Box 24, Peabody Institute Board of Trustees Records, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University.
1954 December 8, 21
Correspondence between Kenneth Hjelmervik and Virginia Carty
The same week that Brown v. Board of Education was decided, Kenneth Hjelmervik, Director of Music Education in the Baltimore Public Schools, wrote to Virginia Carty asking for help accommodating several African-American students in need of a teacher. She and Reginald Stewart agreed to do this, noting that they might have a branch school “in a neighborhood more convenient for these students.”
Kenneth Hjelmervik, Virginia Carty
Correspondence between Kenneth Hjelmervik and Virginia Carty, 1954 May 13, 19, 25, Education Department of Baltimore 1952-59, Folder 1, VIID3.3, Dean’s Office General Correspondence 1925-59 Series D Subseries 3, Arthur Friedheim Library, Peabody Institute, The Johns Hopkins University.
1954 May 13, 19, 25