Land acquired for Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville

Background. In August 1865, twelve Black Baptist churches organized the State Convention of Colored Baptist Churches in Kentucky. Members discussed the need for a school because no place existed in the state for Blacks to obtain a college education. Many students were one generation removed from slavery, prompting the Convention to seek a dedicated institution for training.

Land Acquisition. Definite steps for opening the school were taken in 1879. In November, the trustees of the Convention purchased four acres of land on the corner of 7th and Kentucky Street in Louisville. This property immediately served as the campus for the school, which was established as a Baptist institution.

Institutional Context. Simmons College of Kentucky is a private, historically black college in Louisville. It was formerly known as Kentucky Normal Theological Institute and State University at Louisville. The institution is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and is recognized as the nation's 107th HBCU.