Drayden African American School House

We visited the Drayden African American School House on Cherryfield Road in Drayden, MD. It was built around 1890 and used until around 1944. We were greeted by two pleasant docents on one of the Saturdays it was scheduled to be open, September 7th, 2024. The next opening is September 21st (the first and 3rd Saturday's April-October I believe, but check before you go. It was still in the original location and was used during segregation in the 40s. (Although I am not sure some schools are not still somewhat segregated) The building and contents were nicely preserved. The teachers were underfunded, the children's supplies were less than caucasian students received and school started late, so the children could work on the farm earlier in the day. About 30-40 students were cared for in grades 1-7. See also my blog post on July 26, 2022. For more information: https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/Recreate/Museums/Drayden

Nice children's desks

Lunch boxes

Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass are on the blackboard.

Bowling pins and toys

Drayden, MD Day trip

We took a day trip in the St. Mary's County heat to Drayden, MD.  Along the way, we visited the Drayden African American Schoolhouse, Dennis Point Marina and a local field of sunflowers in Ridge.

1890-1944

40 or more students in one room, grades 1-7

The school opened late so the students could work on the farm (even if they didn't want to).  The teachers were paid much less and the students received much less funding for their schooling than the white schools.

The door was locked, but I took a brief peak inside the window.  Even with a polarizing filter, there was still a lot of glare.

Dennis Point Marina

An old boat hull