501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Est. 1904

They Built It.

We Remember.

Havre de Grace Colored School Museum & Cultural Center

Honoring the legacies of those who came before us

Explore Our History Support the Museum
Est. 1904 Havre de Grace MD Clayton C. Stansbury Sr. August 8th Festival Preserving Black History 501(c)(3) Nonprofit 555 Alliance Street Harford County Est. 1904 Havre de Grace MD Clayton C. Stansbury Sr. August 8th Festival Preserving Black History 501(c)(3) Nonprofit 555 Alliance Street Harford County
Our Origin

A Legacy Cast in Brick
and Sacrifice

Built by the community. For the community.

In 1904, the Black community of Havre de Grace pooled their resources to build what would become the cornerstone of African American education in Harford County. Led by Clayton C. Stansbury Sr., who served for 57 years, the school stood as proof that a community's belief in its children could outlast segregation itself.

Today that building lives as a museum — carrying those stories forward for generations who never got to hear them in school.

Clayton C. Stansbury Sr. — 57 Years of Service
1904
The Original Schoolhouse

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

— Marcus Garvey

Our Mission

What We Preserve

Artifacts & Documents

Primary source materials from Harford County's Black community — photographs, records, and physical artifacts that tell the real story.

Oral Histories

Stories from families who attended, taught, and built this school. First-person accounts preserved for generations to come.

August 8th Festival

Annual celebration of emancipation and community legacy. Cultural programming, historical presentations, music, food, and gathering.

Educational Programs

Bringing this history into classrooms across the region. School tours, guest lectures, and curriculum partnerships.

Technology

Making History Accessible — 24/7

Our virtual docent never sleeps.

💬

Virtual Docent Chatbot

Answers visitor questions about hours, programs, donations, and history any time of day. Always available, always accurate.

📅

Event Registration

August 8th Festival registration with automatic confirmation and reminders. Seamless sign-up for tours and programs.

💜

Donor Acknowledgment

Every donation triggers an immediate thank-you and tax receipt — automatically. Donors feel the impact instantly.

Partnership

Support the Museum

Three tiers of digital partnership to power preservation.

Tier 1
Digital Foundation
$2,800 one-time
+ $97/month
  • Professional museum website
  • Basic automation setup
  • Contact form integration
  • Mobile responsive design
  • SEO optimization
Tier 2 — Recommended
Community Platform
$4,350 one-time
+ $394/month
  • Full website + GHL CRM system
  • Event registration & management
  • Virtual docent chatbot
  • Donor management pipeline
  • Email & SMS campaigns
  • Automated follow-ups
Tier 3
Legacy Partnership
$7,100 one-time
+ $491/month
  • Everything in Tier 2
  • Grant support dashboard
  • Custom donor portal
  • Board communication system
  • Impact reporting & analytics
  • Ongoing strategic support
Funding

Grant Opportunities

Active funding sources for heritage preservation and cultural education.

Maryland Heritage Areas Authority

Up to $50,000 for heritage preservation projects in Maryland.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Grants for at-risk historic sites and cultural landmarks.

NEH Preservation Assistance

Federal funding for collections care and preservation infrastructure.

Abell Foundation

Supporting Baltimore and Maryland community organizations and programs.

PNC Foundation

Financial literacy and community education programs funding.

Get in Touch

Connect with Us

Executive Director
Ms. Patricia D. Cole
Staff Manager
Denise Sconion
Address
555 Alliance Street
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
Phone
443-939-0366
Email
hdgcoloredschool@gmail.com
Status
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Thank you for reaching out. We will be in touch soon.
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Questions

Frequently Asked

The HCSMCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves the legacy of African American education and community in Harford County, Maryland. Housed in the original 1904 school building at 555 Alliance Street, it serves as both a museum and cultural center.

The school was built in 1904 by the Black community of Havre de Grace, who pooled their own resources. Clayton C. Stansbury Sr. served as its leader for 57 years, making it a cornerstone of African American education in Harford County.

The August 8th Festival is an annual celebration of emancipation and community legacy held at the museum. It features cultural programming, historical presentations, music, food, and community gathering.

You can support the museum through direct donations, volunteering, board partnerships, or grant sponsorship. Contact us at 443-939-0366 or hdgcoloredschool@gmail.com, or use the support form on our website.

Yes. The museum offers educational programs for schools and community groups, bringing the history of African American education in Harford County into classrooms across the region.

555 Alliance Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. Call 443-939-0366 or email hdgcoloredschool@gmail.com for visiting hours and tour information.

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