Welcome to the Union Literary Institute

The Union Literary Institute was one of the first schools to offer higher education without regard to color or sex before the Civil War. It was established in 1845 by a biracial board, including freed blacks from nearby settlements. At the time, Indiana laws did not allow blacks to attend public schools. Students labored four hours a day in exchange for room and board.

Directors:

Sarah Mitchell, President
Tom Harshman, Vice-President
Brent Clemens, Treasurer
Dr. Jayne R Beilke, Secretary

Members:
Dr. Thomas Hamm
Joan Pike
Brenda Jett
Alan Taylor
Craig Leonard
Greg Clemens
Richard Miller

Board members and directors serve a three-year term and are elected at the
Annual Meeting. The members represent descendants of Longtown families,
white allies, teachers, and anyone interested in the history of Indiana/Ohio.

This website is supported by a grant from the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).