The University of Kentucky is celebrating its 152nd
anniversary this year, commemorating over a century’s worth of esteemed history
and memories. The Special Collections Research Center is home to photographic
collections documenting the University of Kentucky’s development from its
origins as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky University, to
present day. As a celebration on this history, please enjoy a sampling of
photographs from our collections that preserve the founding of the University
of Kentucky, and catalog its progress to date.
John B. Bowman
Photograph
of portrait drawing of John B. Bowman, part of Portrait Print Collection
(University of Kentucky)
The Agricultural and Mechanical College was founded by John
Bryan Bowman on February 22, 1865, which merged with Transylvania University on
February 28, 1865 with funds obtained from the sale of land granted to the
state by the Morrill Act (Kentucky
Encyclopedia, 1992). The A&M College opened to on October 1, 1866 with an
enrollment of 190 students. The A&M College was originally located on the
Ashland campus, property Bowman purchased, Henry Clay’s former estate, and the
Woodlands farm (Kentucky Encyclopedia, 1992).
James K. Patterson
Photograph of James K. Patterson, part
of the Part of James K. Patterson presidential papers
James K. Patterson succeeded Joseph Desha Pickett as the
Agricultural and Mechanics College’s second presiding officer, and is
considered the University of Kentucky’s first president. He served from
1869-1910.
The Agricultural and
Mechanical College
Photograph
taken by E. B. Foley, from the Lexington, Kentucky photograph album (n.d.)
In 1878, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky
became a state-run institution, and was renamed Kentucky State College. The
campus relocated to 50 acres of land provided by the city of Lexington on South
Lime Stone Street. The first campus buildings constructed were the President
Patterson’s house, the original White Hall, and the Administration Building, and
were completed in 1882.
Clement Belle Gunn
Clement
Belle Gunn, Part of Louis Edward Nollau F Series Photographic Print Collection
(University of Kentucky)
In 1880,
women students were admitted to A&M, and in 1888, Clement Belle Gunn was
the first woman to receive a degree from State College, which was renamed the
University of Kentucky in 1916.
Lyman T. Johnson
Lyman T. Johnson,
right, and Kentucky State University President R. B. Atwood, Part of University
of Kentucky general photographic prints
In 1949,
Lyman T. Johnson was the plaintiff in a lawsuit that resulted in the University
of Kentucky admitting African American students to its graduate school
programs, rendering Johnson the first African American student at the
University of Kentucky. This photograph captures Lyman T. Johnson and Kentucky
State University President, R.B. Atwood exiting the federal district court in
Lexington after the court ruled in favor of Johnson’s admission to the
University of Kentucky.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s
Founders Day Address
The
University of Kentucky’s centennial Founders Day celebration honored President
Johnson at a luncheon, where he received an award and spoke to students about
topical issues facing the country, like poverty and racial injustice.
Founder's Day provides us an opportunity to explore our past and to recognize those who came before us. It also gives us an opportunity to think about how we want to leave a positive impact on campus and how it will be represented in UK's history. The actions, causes, and efforts we take part in today will be remembered by others.
Blog post authored by Natalie Bishop, SCRC Education Graduate Assistant
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