Sacred Places
Wiley H. Bates Memorial Courtyard
The only high school for African American youth in the county, 1932 to 1965.
WHERE
Annapolis, MD
SETTING
Neighborhood
PARTNER INSTITUTION
Arundel Community Development Services
Visit
Where it is
1103 Smithville Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
What happens here
The courtyard is the central focal point for the community complex and the primary entryway into the museum exhibit space honouring Wiley H. Bates. Visitors and alumni come to meditate and reflect on memories of Bates High School.
HOW IT CAME TO BE
The alumni still come back.
01
The Need
Wiley H. Bates High School was the only high school for African American youth in Anne Arundel County from 1932 to 1965. The historic building needed restoring.
02
The Vision
The courtyard is part of the overall Wiley H. Bates Redevelopment Project, directed by ACDS, a nonprofit leading redevelopment efforts across the county.
03
The Transformation
The school has been redeveloped into a vibrant community centre with affordable senior housing and a senior centre, a Boys & Girls Club, and the Memorial Courtyard grounds. The courtyard sits at the centre of the complex and forms the way into the museum exhibit space.
