1. Friends of Lincoln Village Heritage Planning Summary
July 2010
The following is a planning summary compiled by the Historical Designation committee, as part of
the The Friends of Lincoln Village organization. The organization was formed in 2007 to provide the
framework, and research funding sources for the preservation of historical sites in and around Lincoln
University and Lincoln Village. The following is an overview of our progress thus far:
Lincoln University, originally named Ashmun Institute, was founded in 1854* in Southeastern
Pennsylvania, just 3 miles north of the Pennsylvania/Maryland State Border, to educate the sons
of African slave holders. It was founded a full seven (7) years before the Civil War; nine (9) years
before the Emancipation Proclamation; and eleven (11) years before the Union army defeated the
Confederate rebellion. The name was changed to Lincoln University in honor of Abraham
Lincoln who was assassinated for taking a stand for the liberation of Black people from chattel
slavery. By that time, Lincoln had already become known as the Black Princeton, an appellation
that would continue through until the mid-1960's.
*(although some historical references show it to have been founded in 1853, which would mean it
will be 160 years old in 2013)
It is no accident that Lincoln University is geographically positioned three (3) miles north of
Rising Sun Maryland; six (6) miles north of the Macon/Dixon Line; and 45 miles outside of
Philadelphia, PA. The very woods, acres, surrounding community and atmosphere were both
shelter and incubator for some of the world's finest Black minds.
As the first Black university in the United States of America, Lincoln University stands, to this
day, as the standard bearer for what an Historically Black College or University contributes
materially, spiritually, psychologically, culturally and emotionally to those students who emerged
over the past 158 years from her hallowed halls to take their place and make their contribution to
the world.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
Between 1830 and 1890, the vast changes that took place in the nation for African Americans are
directly reflected in the development and evolution of Lincoln University, Lincoln Village, and the
now extinct Black community of Hinsonville, . The geographic location of these overlapping
communities placed them in the center of the national debate over the fate of Black Americans -
especially free Black Americans - during the 19th century.
As the late Paul Russo and his wife Marianne point out in their book, “Hinsonville, a Community At
the Crossroads : The Story of a Nineteenth-Century African-American Village { Marianne H. Russo
and Paul A. Russo, Susquehanna University Press (2003)} their study of this area, focused on the lost
village of Hinsonville. “During this era of national strife and tension centered largely on the question
of race, this tiny community exhibited many of the possible responses to the American social
environment that were available to blacks in the nineteenth century.”
In 2007 The Friends of Lincoln Village was formed, and a historical designation committee has been

2. meeting monthly since September 9, 2007. In November, 2008 a grant was submitted by Lincoln,
University, in cooperation with the Friends, to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to
begin to develop a community partnership and raise public awareness about the importance of Lincoln
University and her place in this nation’s history; as well as out of a concern over the preservation of a
number of historic structures on the campus.
Friends of Lincoln Village representatives sought assistance and advice from Preservation
Pennsylvania and the Lower Oxford Historical Commission. They firmly believe the study of the
proposed historic district - which combines the lost town of Hinsonville, portions of Lincoln University
and Lincoln Village - will not only validate and solidify our place in history; but further the national
understanding of the “nature of the dilemma that defines the Black experience in America.” It will
likewise close the gap in documenting its place in American and African American history. A grant in
the amount of $_________________ was well received, but all funding was cut from the 2009
Governor’s budget. (HOW MUCH WAS THE GRANT?)
Undaunted by the setback, the committee subsequently organized a historic tour of Lincoln's campus to
raise awareness of their historical and cultural value. The tours were conducted by student
ambassadors. Over 65 people attended the initial foray.
To date, the organization has continued to meet and work on establishing the buildings on and around
Lincoln University as historically designated entities.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
• Hire a preservation planner to do the following:
• Complete the National Register nomination for Lincoln University and Lincoln Village
• Update the National Register determination of eligibility for Lincoln University
• Explore sustainable economic development growth ideas for Lincoln University and Lincoln
Village while respecting the heritage of the community.
• Explore fund raising initiatives to stabilize/restore the Lincoln University historic structures that
are not currently in the 2007-2011 Master Plan
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION, VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION:
• Conducting a windshield survey and photographic documentation of 52* historic structures
within a defined boundary for Lincoln Village and Lincoln University.
• Identification of historic reference materials including:
a) Maps (1873 & 1883)
b) Census reports (Lower Oxford Township (1870 & 1880)
c) Books (Hinsonville) and other documents,
including “Teacher’s Monthly Reports for Lower Oxford Township”
Buttonwood School (1870-71, and Harmony Grove School (1871)
• Local historic resources, including Langston-Hughes Memorial Library at Lincoln University
(DO VAIL MEMORIAL, MARY DODD BROWN, ETC. STILL EXIST?)
• Identification of historic themes, including:
a) Settlement patterns: Free African Americans from 1829 – 1900
b) Prominent Families: African American (Draper, Nocho, Walls) and Caucasian (Cope**
Dickey, Garrett

3. c) Education: Development of Lincoln University (originally Ashmun Institute) the first
black college in America founded 1854
d) Commerce: Agriculture*** mining,
e) Manufacturing (brickyard, coal yard, lumberyard, phosphate mfg., pottery mill and creamery)
f) Small business development
• Transportation:
a) 1860: Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad***between Kennett Square
and Nottingham,
b) the P&BC RR paralleled the Baltimore to Philadelphia Coach Road (currently
Old Baltimore Pike)
c) identify properties, sites, and individuals representing these themes
***Russo, Marianne H. and Paul A. Hinsonville, A Community at the Crossroads,
page 5.
• * Houses built between 1860 and 1905
• ** One building currently standing was traced back to Henry Cope as an owner.
• *** Some farms were owned by African Americans
• **** Lincoln University RR station still standing
Lincoln University Historical Buildings Forming an Eligible National Register
District in 1986
Amis Hall
Security Building (1865)
Lincoln Hall (1866)
Alumni House (1870) st**
Cresson Hall (1870)
Cannon House (1874)
Houston Hall (1881)
Mary Dodd Brown Chapel (1890)
Bond House (1891)
University Hall (1891)
Vail Memorial Hall (1899)
McCauley Hall (1904)
President’s House (1906)
Life Science Building (1925)
Rendell Hall (1931)
*** 1st on-campus Co-Ed Dorm (1965)
Friends of Lincoln Village will continue to meet, research and seek the requite resources to take the
designation of these time honored buildings from a dream to a reality. If you require any additional
information, feel free to contact ___________________________ at_____________@_________.