University of Maryland Eastern Shore - History

History

The school was founded in 1886 through the offices of the Delaware Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was known as the Delaware Conference Academy. Later UMES came to be called Industrial Branch of Morgan State College and Princess Anne Academy. The State of Maryland, in operating its Land-Grant program at the Maryland Agricultural College at College Park (now the University of Maryland, College Park), which did not admit African American students, sought to provide a Land-Grant program for African Americans. In 1919 the state of Maryland assumed control of the academy and changed its name to Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Agricultural College. In 1948 the name was again changed, this time to Maryland State College. In 1970, the university obtained its current name of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

From its original campus building known as "Olney," which was constructed in 1798 during the era of President George Washington, the University has grown to over 745 acres with 32 major buildings and 41 other units. The student population has increased to 4,500. Within the last decade, UMES has added 20 degree granting programs to its academic roster.