The Wetipquin Colored Schools

Prior to the Revolutionary War, public education in the area was sporadic and funded through various means such as duties on imports, taxes on native products, licenses, and sometimes lotteries. Wealthier families sent their sons to study in places like England, Philadelphia, or Williamsburg, while children from less affluent families received basic education from private tutors, who could be family members, clergymen, or indentured servants. In some cases, parents collectively employed a tutor.

The desire for advanced education led to the establishment of boarding academies, funded by parents, private donations, and occasional contributions from the Maryland General Assembly. One early record from 1714-1718 mentions David Evans, a teacher in Somerset County, owning land near Wetipquin Creek. These institutions were typically for male students only.

Wetipquin Academy, established in 1834, received $200 from the Maryland Legislature in 1841. Subjects taught included Orthography, Latin, Greek, Geography, Logistics, Navigation, Surveying, Oratory, Mathematics, and Philosophy. Female education was mostly limited to domestic skills, with a few exceptions for fine arts and social etiquette for daughters of affluent families.

An 1877 atlas shows a boarding school in Wetipquin at Royal Oak. The first Board of County Commissioners in Wicomico County appointed school commissioners for each election district. In 1873, Samuel J. Riggins deeded land to the Wicomico County Board of Education to build a school, which was erected shortly after. This one-room school, located at Sandy Hill Road and Royal Oak Road, served around 30-40 children aged 6-17.

In the early 20th century, female teachers boarded at local farms, with some early teachers including Ora Taylor, Myra Bennett, Maude Horsey, Nina Adkins, and Maude Graham. When the school closed, students transferred to Nanticoke Elementary School.

Reports from "Wetipquin Jottings" describe community activities and school events, highlighting the engagement and efforts of teachers like Miss Pollitt and Mr. George N. Crosby, despite low parental involvement. The emphasis was on the importance of education and community support for schools.

The Wetipquin Colored School, established in the late 19th century, served the African American community. Trustees included Samuel James Chase, William Dashiell, and Ephraim Stewart. In 1921, Herman and Carrie D. Bailey deeded land for a new elementary school, which opened in 1922. This two-room school had basic amenities and followed a structured daily routine, with an emphasis on both academic and physical activities. Teachers and principals such as Mr. William Elias played significant roles in the school's success, which boasted high attendance rates and participated in county-wide events.

In 1956, Wetipquin Colored Elementary School closed, and students moved to WENAQUAH in Quantico, Maryland. The former school building became a community center, continuing to serve educational, recreational, religious, and social purposes. The Wetipquin Day Care operated there from 1972 to 1985.