Morris Brown College, a private, liberal arts institution located in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church for the
Jun 27, 2019

Morris Brown College Photographs

Morris Brown College, a private, liberal arts institution located in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church for the " moral, spiritual and intellectual growth of Negro boys and girls. "The original site for the school was located at Boulevard and Houston Street in Northeast Atlanta. On October 5, 1885, Morris Brown College opened with nine teachers and 107 students. By 1908 the school boasted an enrollment of nearly 1,000 students. It continued to offer instruction in industrial trades as well as academic fields and awarded two-year degrees in addition to four-year bachelor's degrees, but over time administrators placed greater emphasis on the development of the school's college-level curriculum. Morris Brown joined the Atlanta University Center in 1941, and along with Atlanta University, Clark College, Spelman College, and Morehouse College formed the largest consortium of HBCUs in the country. They remained members of the AUC until 2002. This collection contains photographs depicting Morris Brown College campus life spanning 1900 to 1990. Images include athletics, building and grounds, students and alumni, departments, events, faculty and staff, groups and organizations and individuals.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu

View of entrance sign "Morris Brown College, Founded 1881".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Indoor view of men and women clapping, view of church pews. Written on verso: "President Calvert Smith + wife- Carrie Smith applauds at Inaugural Concert Nov. 1985- Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Atlanta, GA".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Indoor portrait of man and woman. Written on verso: "President Calvert Smith + Alumnae; Rosalyn Burroughs at Inaugural Concert- Big Bethel Church Nov. 1985".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Indoor view of two men speaking. Written on verso: "1985, Dr. Colvert H. Smith listens to student Neil Weston in lobby of John H. Middleton Complex".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Outdoor group portrait. Written on verso: "Criminal Justice Club; L-R Kenny Moore, Gail Johnson, Teresa Bryant, Monroe Harper, Jim Green; 2nd row Charlie Reese, Victor Scott, Eddie Harris, Robert Butts, Kevin Dent, David Williams; Morris Brown 1985".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Written on verso: "L to R- Chester Gibbs- Senior; Patricia Lindsey- Jr.; 1985.
Morris Brown College Photographs
Indoor view of faculty procession in a gymnasium.
Morris Brown College Photographs
Written on verso: "Ms. Dedra Close- Senior reads school newspaper as she journeys to class, 1985".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Aerial view of football stadium with houses and buildings in background.
Morris Brown College Photographs
Street view of a marching band, people seated on walls on either side.
Morris Brown College Photographs
Indoor group portrait of woman and men. Written on verso: "Dr. Calvert H. Smith + First Lady- Carrie Smith at a Homecoming Reception 1985-86".
Portrait of a woman.
Morris Brown College Photographs
Outdoor group portriat of young men and women. Written on verso: "McBrown-1985; Sophomore class off: President Tony Griffin; L to Right; Marcus Willims, Dorletha Frazier, Tracy Buchanan, Angela Brown, William Tanks, Roderick Price, Ronald Williams".
Morris Brown College Photographs
View of young women are table. Written on verso: "A Freshman at registration 1984".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Outdoor portrait of a woman.
Morris Brown College Photographs
View of a young women with a text book.
Outdoor group portrait of three women. Written on verso: "Homecoming Court 1984; L to R Michelle Patmon, Phyliss Hall, Rodesia Ashe".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Outdoor view of people seated in stands with a marching band and buildings in the background.
Morris Brown College Photographs
Indoor view of man assisting woman out of convertible. Written on verso: "Mr. David Kinchen assists Miss MBC- Michelle Patmon out of her limousine 1984-85".
Morris Brown College Photographs
Outdoor view of a woman. Written on verso: "Morris Brown College Student- Paige Wray 1984".
Morris Brown College Photographs