Alabama A&M University (Current Site)

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
former names

1873 – Colored Normal School at Huntsville

1885 – The Huntsville State Colored Normal and Industrial School

1896 – The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes

1919 – The State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes

1948 – Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College

1969 – University status achieved

 

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY
Normal, Alabama

Legislature approved 9 December 1873 “a normal school for the education of colored teachers” in Huntsville. Ex-slave William Hooper Councill founder and first president. Classes began May 1875 in a rented building; moved 1881 to first school-owned property on West Clinton Street. Land-grant funds received 1891 for training of Negroes in agriculture and mechanic arts enabled school to enlarge and re-establish at present location. Evolved from a Normal School to a University in ninety-four years.

ALABAMA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – 1974