In the late 60s, Homewood House hosted the administrative office of Johns Hopkins President, Lincoln Gordon. Ironically, it was at this place of historical enslavement that Johns Hopkins Black Student Union engaged in a sit-in until Gordon would meet with them. He was presented a list of demands deemed by the black students to address vestiges of racism on campus as the University sought to attract black students in large numbers. That this protest event that was one of the turning points in the University’s racial relations is not associated with modern day presentations of Homewood House history is a missed opportunity to connect the past with contemporary black history of blacks on campus. Unfortunately not allowing black students acknowledgement through physical landmarks of our history of engagement to make the University a welcoming place for those who came later remains a challenge. Homewood House is part of our contemporary history.
In the late 60s, Homewood House hosted the administrative office of Johns Hopkins President, Lincoln Gordon. Ironically, it was at this place of historical enslavement that Johns Hopkins Black Student Union engaged in a sit-in until Gordon would meet with them. He was presented a list of demands deemed by the black students to address vestiges of racism on campus as the University sought to attract black students in large numbers. That this protest event that was one of the turning points in the University’s racial relations is not associated with modern day presentations of Homewood House history is a missed opportunity to connect the past with contemporary black history of blacks on campus. Unfortunately not allowing black students acknowledgement through physical landmarks of our history of engagement to make the University a welcoming place for those who came later remains a challenge. Homewood House is part of our contemporary history.