The Little Homestead, College St.

Photograph

Pejepscot History Center

Name/Title

"The Little Homestead," College St.

Entry/Object ID

OH.1864.b

Description

A B/W photograph of the "The Little Homestead," (College St., Brunswick, ME) the home of Professors Alpheus Packard and William Smyth and their families. Both professors were known as having Abolitionist views, and Smyth was especially vocal throughout his life for the cause. Written on the back of the photo is "During Civil war, a station in Underground Railroad. 1962 property of Bowdoin College, 1969 used as home for colored students." There is evidence, in the form of letters from Packard and Smyth's sons, that 1-2 enslaved people who had escaped from the south were harbored briefly at the home before being moved to East Brunswick, where there was a Black community, and then on to Canada. The house is now the John Brown Russwurm African American Center at the College. Russwurm was Bowdoin's first Black graduate. Not dated. OH.1864.c is the same photo, without above detail.

Collection

Found On-hand

Lexicon

Search Terms

The Little Homestead, Bowdoin College, Underground Railroad, College Street, African-American, African-Americans, African-Americans - Brunswick, Afro-American Center, African American History, African American, Black History, Slavery, Slavery - Maine, Packard Smith Little house, Packard Smyth House, Packard Smyth HouseAmerican Center, Packard-Smyth House, East Brunswick