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Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
(1818-1895)
Frederick Douglass Douglass a frequent visitor to the West Chester area, gave his last public lecture on West Chester University's (College) campus on February 1, 1895, just nineteen days before his death. While in West Chester he experienced the kindness in the home of the Darlingtons, who kept a boarding
school on West Gay Street, #108.
Horrace Pippin
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Sunrise February 22, 1888
Sunset July 6, 1946
Born in West Chester, Pa his family moved when he was three. He returned in 1920 after serving in World War I as part of the renowned African-American regiment known as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” Despite a war injury that severely limited the use of his right arm, Pippin began teaching himself
Sunrise February 22, 1888
Sunset July 6, 1946
Born in West Chester, Pa his family moved when he was three. He returned in 1920 after serving in World War I as part of the renowned African-American regiment known as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” Despite a war injury that severely limited the use of his right arm, Pippin began teaching himself to paint in oil by 1930, using his left arm as a support for his right hand. "
August - 1911
Frederick Douglass
August - 1911
The lynching of Zachariah Walker occurred on August 1911, in Coatesville, Pa.
A white mob attacked and burned African American steelworker Zachariah Walker alive in retaliation for reportedly killing Edgar Rice, a white Worth Brothers Steel company police officer.
Bayard Rustin, West Chester native son.
Rustin was born March 17, 1912 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was one of 12 children raised by his grandparents, Janifer and Julia Rustin.
In the early days of the history of the branch Julia Davis Rustin, Bayard Rustin's grandmother often open her home to visiting leaders from the national association of the NAACP, such as James Weldon Johnson and Dr. W.E.B. DuBois.
After graduating from West Chester High School, Rustin studied intermittently at Wilberforce University, Cheyney State Teachers College, and City College of New York.
Rustin died August 24, 1987, in New York.
In 1917. Dr. Leslie Pinckney Hill, President of Cheyney State Teacher’s College, envisioned a community-based institution that would help address the unmet needs of citizens who were traditionally marginalized by and disenfranchised from society based on their economic status, gender, or race.
Dr. Hill’s vision became a reality with the official adoption of the West Chester Community Center’s articles of incorporation Center.
1919, April 5th the West Chester Branch was created.
The following officers were elected: Rev. C. C. Dunlap (President, pastor of Bethel AME), John Reed (VP), Marshall Cain (recording secretary), C. H. Wilson (corresponding secretary), and Cyrus Williams, (treasurer).
1920-During its second year, Joseph R. Fugett was also a branch officer.
1920-
Gay Street Elementary School
Joseph R. Fugett was born in 1890 as the son of a former Tennessee slave, worked to expand educational opportunities all his life and was one of the earliest residents in the community to recognize and work towards the need to improve race relations in West Chester. A Cornell University graduate, Mr. Fugett was a respected teacher and principal in the West Chester area for many years. He served as the first principal of the original Gay Street Elementary School, which was designated the "Black" school for the District, 1920-1955
The Gay Street School Street was a segregated elementary school in West Chester that operated in this capacity from 1895 to 1957. Integration came to West Chester and the school took the name of a beloved principal, Joseph Fugett, who led a motivated faculty for many years.
1934-
Ground breaking for the "New" Center
The West Chester Community Center “Center Committee” broke ground in the heart of the Borough of West Chester. A brand new building was constructed at 501 E. Miner Street.
1942 October:
Re-organization of the NAACP West Chester Branch. A meeting was held at the West Chester Community Center (now the Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center) and the following officers were elected: Rev. A. E. Mann, president; William Johnson, vice president; Maria L. Brookrine, Waddelton, treasurer.
1948-
Segregation of West Chester Borough's schools come to an end when Gregory Porter is allowed to enter the first-grade at the all-white Auditorium School near his home on the west end.
1948-
James A. Norris served as President of the branch.
1950-
The Chapter underwent a reorganization in the mid-1950's. A copy of a May 9, 1955 charter for a West Chester, Pennsylvania, Branch can be found in the records of the Chester County Historical Society. Another document indicates the branch had two members in 1958 and 148 members in 1959.
1960-
John L. Melton Jr. served as President of the branch. Correspondence from the Commonwealth of Pa Department of State includes a renewal letter and a certificate of registration under the Solicitation Act of September 1961.
"Had we not had God and the church, we could not have survived." Mercedes Biddle Greer.
Ms. Greer was an early leader in the civil rights struggle. You didn't mingle or go up town. You really knew your were black and really knew where you were supposed to be. " Corner Store - Gay and New Street- Services denied. Discriminatory Action in Housing Job Opportunities limited Restaurants, lunch bars, ice cream parlors unless black owned wound not provide service.
Warren Theatre-Segregated-upstairs seating only
1963 - August 28th March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
Mr. Rustin, a West Chester native son, was a major force in the Civil Rights movement and is known as the "Architect of the March on Washington". An American civil rights activist who was an adviser to Martin Luther King, Jr. Listen to the activities of this historic event. Listen to the section “What We Demand,” Rustin and his team were concrete in laying out the march’s 10 goals.
Organizing Manual-distributed by Bayard Rustin.
1963
Cleona Jackson, was the only African-American elected to the West Chester School Board.
"Why We Picket: A Message to the Citizens of West Chester, Pennsylvania" appeared in the Daily Local News, Oct 10, 1963. ln an advertisement paid for by the NAACP, the Human Relations Council (W. T. Johnson, president) and the Student Equality League, a challenge was issued to employers in West Chester to hire African-Americans (Negroes).
The pickets were planned for the next day at the First National Bank, National Bank of Chester County and Trust Company, and the Dimes Savings Bank, all in the first block of North High Street.
According to the Daily Local News. About 300 people protested peacefully in front of the banks on North High Street.
1963-
Barbara Wenlock, "This is your NAACP" in The Quad Angles, West Chester State College students formed a new chapter of the NAACP on campus.
The officers:
Tina Congleton (President) Samuel Thompson (VP), Nancy Barbour (Secretary) and Ron Jenkins (Treasurer). With approximately 40 members their goals were to raise awareness of the "new Negro" on campus, to initiate a tutoring program for underprivileged youth in the neighborhood, and reduce instances of discrimination on campus.
Dr. Johnson succeeded Charles A. Melton as president and it was he who maintained and later donated UPAC’s records to the Chester Country Historical Society.
1964-
Robert T. Butler served as President.
1965-
The Gay Street Elementary School was renamed the Joseph R. Fugett School upon his retirement (1965) to honor his many years of dedicated service.
1965-
State Human Relations Commission report
The report provided irrefutable evidence of a highly discriminatory situation in the West Chester Schools.
1966-
The West Chester State College Student chapter of the NAACP invited speakers from Philadelphia for a panel on "Black Power."
1967-
Reverend Amos C. Brown (President West Chester NAACP) and William T. Bode (Chair West Chester Human Rights Commission), "Declaration of Need for Fair Housing Practices in West Chester, Pennsylvania" (Pictured to the left), Robert Woodson, 1st VP, Mrs. Alverta Grant, 2nd VP, Mrs. Mildred Ely, Secretary, William Bode, Treasurer
1967-
The United Political Action Committee (UPAC) of Chester County was formed, to end racial discrimination in Chester County. The founders included Charles A. Melton, Charles H. Butler, Norman W. Bond, Robert L. Wright, Willie Stokes, James Ward, Alston B. Meade, W.T.M. Johnson, Ernest Spriggs and Charles V. Hamilton. Charles A. Melton was the first president and Dr. Johnson was the secretary.
Dr. Johnson succeeded Charles A. Melton as president and it was he who maintained and later donated UPAC’s records to the Chester Country Historical Society.
1969
Rev. Amos Brown, Pastor of St Paul's Baptist Church was appointed to the WCASD Board making him the board's first black member.
1973-
Mr. Robert Butler, former West Chester NAACP President was appointed to fill a seat on the Borough Council. Mr. Butler was retired from Allied Chemical Company, Marcus Hook, served on numerous other Boards and committees including the Board of Directors of the West Chester Community Center; a county-wide non-partisan voter registration committee; the liaison committee of the West Chester School District; and the School District Tax Revision Board.
1980-
Alonzo G. DeBerry served as the President.
1986-
Ann Aerie became the first African-American woman elected to the West Chester Borough Council. She served for four (4) years and during that time served as the President.
1986-
Reverend Edward Williams served as the President.
1987-
CIVIL RIGHTS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
February 26, 1987 West Chester Area School District along with Community Organizations and Community People celebrated Black History Month with an outstanding program. Keynote speakers included Mrs. Rosa Parks, the Mother of our Freedom Movement for Civil Rights, Mr. Fred D. Gray, the brilliant Chief Attorney for the protest movement and defense attorney for Mrs. Parks in the case of the Montgomery Bus Boycott., Mr. Martin Luther King, III Program participants included: Mr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste (Master of Ceremony), Rabbi Mac Portal (Invocation) Dr. David Cox, the principal of East High.
January 12, 1991 - Klan March in West Chester, Pa
In anticipation of the Klan march, West Chester NAACP President Rev. Ed Williams and Tom Chambers, the mayor of West Chester (1986 - 1993) respond to the Ku Klux Klan March by organizing a community-sponsored Unity rally.
On the day of the march, 1,600 people came to the Unity Rally. The March in town sparked arrest, and injuries. The rally was held on the campus of West Chester University. The rally brought people together and encouraged residents to stay away from the KKK march.
1994-
Mrs. Doris A. Bond, Born June 25, 1946-December 24, 2019, was born in West Chester, PA. Affectionately known as “Sue”.
President of the West Chester Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for ten years. (Pictured to the left.)
1994-2002
Dr. Clifford DeBaptiste became the first African American elected as mayor to West Chester, PA and served 1994-2002. During his tenure, he guided the composition – through promotions and new hires – of 47 percent of the police department. Founder and CEO, DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc, is a lifetime member and supporter.
We acknowledge the gifts, time, talent and resources that help to create this history.
The West Chester branch of the NAACP and the community of West Chester have roots that run deep and entwine. The information provided, is by no means the entire story of this relationship, but instead offers reflections into the experiences and dynamics of the community and our nation during these times.
