In observation of Black History Month, Rev. Stephen Wright, the first African American to attend and graduate from the Linsly Military Institute, class of 1972, will discuss his experiences as a student. Now a resident of Maryland, Rev. Wright will be joined at the event by other early African American students of Linsly, including, William Gummer, Dorian and Michael Lee, Jeff Potts, Eddie Tyree, and Scott Allyn Thomas.
Founded in 1814, the Lancastrian Academy opened at 13th and Chapline Streets in Wheeling as its founder, Noah Linsly, made provision in his will for the creation of a school. The second building at 15th and Eoff Streets was loaned to the new state of West Virginia for its capitol from 1863 to 1870. By 1877 the academy became a boys’ school known as Linsly Military Institute, adopting the dress and the discipline of a military school. Beginning in 1927, Linsly moved to its current location at Thedah Place. The military structure ended in 1978 and The Linsly School became coed in 1987.
Presenter Bio: The Rev. Stephen Wright attended Linsly Military Institute from 1968 to 1972 and worked as a steelworker with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. from 1973 to 1985. In 1969, he was elected the first vice president of the West Virginia Baptist State Youth Convention. He has a B.A. from Washington Baptist Seminary and since December of 1998, has been the pastor at First Baptist Church of College Park, one of the oldest African-American congregations in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
